Trump fires Kennedy Center board members, becomes self-appointed chairman
President Donald Trump made a bold move on Friday by announcing the immediate firing of several Kennedy Center board members, including the chairman, David Rubenstein. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he and Rubenstein did not share the same vision for a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” As a result, Trump declared himself as the new chairman of the Kennedy Center and promised to announce a new board soon, describing himself as “amazing.”
Trump criticized the Kennedy Center for hosting drag shows targeting youth, stating that such events would come to an end under his leadership. One such event, the Dancing Queens Drag Brunch, took place at the Kennedy Center’s Roof Terrace Restaurant in October, featuring drag performers from Washington, D.C.’s queer community. Tickets were sold for nearly $100 each, with bottomless mimosas included.
Following Trump’s announcement, the Kennedy Center’s website experienced high traffic and limited access for users, prompting a virtual waiting room for visitors. Despite the online frenzy, Trump expressed his commitment to making the Kennedy Center a showcase for the nation’s brightest stars.
The Kennedy Center Honors, which took place in December, honored George Clooney, Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, Tania León, and U2 members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. It remains unclear which other board members were removed by Trump.
In his post, Trump emphasized his goal of making the Kennedy Center “GREAT AGAIN” and promised that “THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” It will be interesting to see how Trump’s leadership will shape the future of one of America’s most prestigious cultural institutions.
