President Trump Takes Direct Control of Kennedy Center: Major Changes Unfold

In a series of unprecedented actions, President Donald Trump has assumed direct control over the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, leading to significant leadership changes, program cancellations, and a wave of artist withdrawals. These developments have ignited a national debate on the intersection of politics and the arts.

On February 10, 2025, President Trump appointed Richard Grenell, a former U.S. Ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence, as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. Simultaneously, he dismissed several board members, including Chairman David Rubenstein, and installed his own appointees. These new members subsequently elected Trump as chairman on February 12, 2025. In a social media post, President Trump criticized the center's previous programming, particularly its drag and LGBTQ performances, stating, "NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA – ONLY THE BEST." (guardian)

Following these changes, the Kennedy Center canceled the national tour of the children's musical "Finn," citing financial reasons. However, this decision faced public backlash, with critics viewing it as an attack on free speech. In response, several artists and productions, including "Hamilton," withdrew from the center in protest. (wikipedia)

On August 13, 2025, President Trump announced the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors recipients: country music star George Strait, actor and singer Michael Crawford, actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band KISS. He indicated a personal role in the selection process, aiming to reshape the center's cultural direction. (whitehouse)

Additionally, the White House ordered a review of exhibits at Smithsonian museums to align with President Trump's interpretation of American history, focusing on promoting American exceptionalism and avoiding divisive narratives. (wikipedia)

These developments have sparked debates about the intersection of politics and the arts, with concerns over artistic freedom and the politicization of cultural institutions. The restructuring of the Kennedy Center's leadership and programming, along with the review of Smithsonian exhibits, reflect a broader effort to influence cultural narratives and artistic expression.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, established in 1971, is a premier cultural institution in the United States, hosting a wide range of performances and events. Richard Grenell, appointed as interim executive director, is a diplomat and public official who has served as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence under President Trump.

President Trump's authority to appoint and dismiss board members of the Kennedy Center is grounded in U.S. Code Title 20 Chapter 3 subchapter V §76h, which specifies the composition and appointment process for the board of trustees. (wikipedia)

While previous administrations have influenced cultural institutions, the direct involvement of a sitting president in the daily operations and programming decisions of the Kennedy Center is unprecedented.

These developments at the Kennedy Center and Smithsonian museums underscore the complex relationship between politics and the arts, raising critical questions about governance, artistic freedom, and the role of cultural institutions in society.