Trump ending Kennedy Center board members' terms, naming himself chair in place of Rubenstein
Share and Follow


President Trump on Friday said he would end the terms of multiple members of the Kennedy Center board and make himself chair of a new board, putting himself at the helm of the Washington, D.C., cultural institution.

“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. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!” the president said on Truth Social.

He said his moves are part of an effort to make the Kennedy Center, named for former President John F. Kennedy and located in Northwest Washington along the Potomac River, “great again.”

“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” Trump said.

The current chair of the Kennedy Center board of trustees is billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who was co-founder of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group and had served as a policy adviser to former President Jimmy Carter.

Rubenstein also has ties to former President Biden, who stayed at his house in Nantucket over Thanksgiving last year. The annual Kennedy Center Honors took place in December, and Rubenstein saluted Biden, who was in the audience, for being “gracious hosts” and attending the show for four years.

During Trump’s first term in office, he bucked tradition and declined to attend the Honors event after several of the award’s recipients criticized him.

Earlier on Friday, Rubenstein interviewed Trump ally Elon Musk remotely during a JPMorgan investment conference.

Other members of the board include businessman Anthony Welters, who serves as vice chair and Deborah Rutter, who serves as president, though last month she announced plans to step down later this year.

Presidents appoint members to the board, which currently includes Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump-tied lobbyist Brian Ballard and singer Lee Greenwood, who is a Trump supporter.

Others members are Biden-era names, including former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, longtime Biden adviser Mike Donilon and Democratic consultant Stephanie Cutter.

And Congress designates ex-officio members, which currently includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio and would include the secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services once they are confirmed.

First ladies are also honorary chairs of the board, with first lady Melania Trump listed on the Kennedy Center’s website along with former first ladies Biden, Obama, Bush and Clinton.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
A look at how electric vehicles perform in extreme weather

How Electric Vehicles Handle Extreme Weather: Performance Insights and Challenges

CHICAGO — In our latest edition of Driving Into the Future, brought…
Minnesota anti-ICE agitators swarm, confront federal agents during enforcement operations

CEO Raises Concerns Over Funding of Anti-ICE Groups, Citing Risks to Law Enforcement Safety

Violent clashes involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota are…
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider dies at 59

Reggae Icon Sly Dunbar, Drummer for Music Legends, Passes Away at 73

As one half of the legendary duo Sly & Robbie, Sly Dunbar…
Former Louisiana high school teacher indicted for allegedly trying to entice student into sex

Ex-Louisiana Teacher Faces Indictment for Alleged Student Enticement

A former high school educator from Louisiana is facing federal charges for…
Why hasn't body camera footage been released in Minneapolis ICE shootings?

Unveiling the Mystery: Delays in Minneapolis ICE Shooting Body Cam Footage Explained

(NEXSTAR) – In recent weeks, federal agents have been involved in two…
White House says there IS bodycam of Alex Pretti killing

White House Confirms Existence of Bodycam Footage in Alex Pretti Case

The White House is currently examining bodycam recordings capturing the tragic incident…
Alex Pretti shooting Minneapolis: Comparisons drawn between Pretti, Kyle Rittenhouse in renewed Second Amendment debate

Minneapolis Shooting Involving Alex Pretti Sparks Renewed Second Amendment Debate with Comparisons to Kyle Rittenhouse

The recent fatal shooting of a man by a Border Patrol agent…
Robot snow plow: Viral video shows autonomous Yarbo blower at work in Chester, New Jersey

Watch a Robot Snow Plow in Action: Yarbo Blower Clears Snow in Chester, NJ

CHESTER, New Jersey — As snow blanketed New Jersey, a resident of…