Understanding Donald Trump's Control of the Kennedy Centre

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Members of creative industries are cancelling shows and cutting ties with the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after United States President Donald Trump took over as the venue’s chairman.

Trump has been made chair of the venue — which describes itself as “the nation’s cultural centre” — and dismissed board members who he says do not share his arts and culture “vision”.

Actor, writer and producer Issa Rae has cancelled her upcoming sold-out show, while others have stepped down from leadership roles within the venue.

Has Donald Trump taken over the Kennedy Center?

The Kennedy Center is one of the leading arts organisations in the US and has enjoyed bipartisan support for years. The cultural institution is known for its signature Kennedy Center honours performances and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera.

Last week, Trump fired Kennedy Center chair David Rubinstein in the first stage of an overhaul of the venue’s board.

“I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture,” Trump said in a social media post.

He added: “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”

Trump later fired president Deborah Rutter and cleared out members appointed by his predecessor Joe Biden.

In a statement, The Kennedy Center board of trustees — now filled with people appointed by Trump — named him chair and Richard Grennell interim president. Grennell was an ambassador to Germany during Trump’s first term and is also serving as an envoy for special missions in the current administration.

On social media, Trump criticised the venue for having featured “Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth.”

“NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”

Inside shot from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, USA, 1971

The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents over 2000 performing arts shows and events each year. Source: Getty / Pictorial Parade

Other new board members include , deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, and Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance.

Since taking office last month, Trump has embarked on a massive government makeover, firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants and top officials at agencies in his first steps toward downsizing the bureaucracy and installing more loyalists.

Creatives cut ties with Kennedy Center

A number of creatives are distancing themselves from the Kennedy Center in the wake of Trump’s changes.

Rae announced her one-night show, which was due to take place on 16 March, would be cancelled and tickets would be refunded.

In an Instagram story on Thursday, she said she had decided to cancel her appearance over an “infringement on the values of an institution”.

Author Louise Penny also announced she was cancelling her book launch over Trump’s takeover.

“I was supposed to launch The Black Wolf at the Kennedy Center in DC, but in the wake of Trump taking over, I have pulled out,” she wrote in a Facebook post on Friday.

“It was, of course, going to be a career highlight. But there are things far more important than that.”

The entrance to the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 11: The Kennedy Center is seen on a snowy night in Washington, DC on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Source: Getty / Craig Hudson/The Washington Post

Opera singer Reneé Fleming has also resigned from her position as artistic advisor at large. In a statement on , she praised Rubenstein and Rutter for their work.

“David Rubenstein’s leadership as Chairman is just one of the many ways he has contributed to America’s cultural and historic heritage. He is the greatest patriot I know,” she wrote.

“As president of the Kennedy Center, Deborah Rutter has been a tireless, creative leader, successfully expanding our National Center for the Arts in visionary ways.”

She wrote she felt it was right to depart “out of respect”.

Shonda Rhimes, who created shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Bridgerton, also resigned as treasurer, while singer-songwriter Ben Folds resigned as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra.

Folds released a short statement announcing his resignation but did not name Trump directly.

“Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” he wrote on Thursday.

With additional reporting by Reuters.