President Donald Trump is leading an overhaul of the Kennedy Center, vowing to rid the institution of political activism and restore it as a place of cultural excellence. After taking control of the board and touring the facility, he outlined his plans to fix its management, eliminate unnecessary spending, and bring in programming that better reflects American values.
Since taking charge, Trump has removed board members who he believes turned the Kennedy Center into a political tool rather than a performing arts venue. In their place, he appointed well-known conservatives, including Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo, as well as country singer Lee Greenwood. He also named Richard Grenell as interim executive director.
🚨 JUST IN: Trump is at the Kennedy Center for the board meeting and a tour. He is totally overhauling it.
He says they wanted to charge Lee Greenwood $30,000 just to sing there. Trump also says he is going to get with Speaker Johnson to fix its architecture.
"We're here to… pic.twitter.com/n3jGPcIHSV
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 17, 2025
During his visit, Trump criticized how taxpayer money had been spent at the center, pointing to extravagant but underused spaces that were part of a $250 million expansion. He vowed to ensure that future funding would be used responsibly and that wasteful projects would not continue.
The entertainment industry has reacted with hostility. Lin-Manuel Miranda announced that Hamilton would no longer be performed at the Kennedy Center, and Issa Rae pulled out of a scheduled appearance. Drag performers have protested outside the venue after their events were canceled as part of the new leadership’s shift in priorities.
Trump is de nieuwe baas van het Kennedy Center in Washington DC, het nationale centrum voor uitvoerende kunst.
Natuurlijk wil hij het gaan verbouwen zodat het meer lijkt op zijn Mar-a-Lago. MT en bestuur bestaat nu uit MAGA.
Ondertussen lopen artiesten, donoren en publiek weg. https://t.co/YLAl6yBSG1— Walter van der Cruijsen (@wltrrr) March 18, 2025
Grenell has begun implementing programming changes, announcing that the Kennedy Center will host a large Christmas celebration to highlight traditional holiday themes. “We will not allow the Kennedy Center to be an intolerant place,” he said, signaling a departure from the leftist programming that has dominated the venue in recent years.
Trump also pointed out that the center’s spending had become out of control, revealing that a simple task such as moving a piano for a performance would have cost $30,000. He blamed excessive union regulations for inflating costs and promised to address the financial inefficiencies.
Despite pushback from Hollywood elites, Trump is pressing forward with his plan to restore the Kennedy Center as a place of artistic excellence, free from political activism. His administration is committed to ensuring that the venue remains a cultural institution for all Americans.
