President Trump Reshapes the Kennedy Center, Ousting Board Members in a Major Overhaul

Image via Chip Somodevilla / Shutterstock

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is undergoing a seismic shift under President Donald Trump’s leadership. The president has begun dismissing board members, with Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter confirming on Friday that some trustees had already received termination notices. This move marks an unprecedented intervention in the institution’s governance, as no previous administration has taken such direct control over board appointments.

Trump announced his plan via Truth Social, declaring his intent to become the board’s chair and implement what he calls a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Given that board members traditionally select the chair, Trump’s strategy likely involves replacing enough trustees to secure a majority vote in his favour.

The Kennedy Center, home to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera, has long been seen as a bipartisan artistic institution. However, Trump’s planned changes signal a sharp ideological shift. In his announcement, he criticized the Center for hosting drag performances and vowed to eliminate similar events in the future.

Blaq Dinamyte, president of Qommittee, a national network of drag artists and allies, condemned the move, calling it “censorship, plain and simple.” Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center has yet to officially respond.

Trump’s involvement in the arts has often been met with resistance. In 2017, during his first term, he skipped the Kennedy Center Honors after honorees threatened to boycott a White House reception. Now, his sweeping overhaul of the board signals an attempt to solidify influence over the institution’s programming, raising concerns about the future of artistic freedom at one of America’s most prestigious cultural landmarks.