Donald Trump's recent election as the chair of the Kennedy Center has sparked a substantial exodus among its high-profile figures.
According to the Daily Mail, His new role led to significant leadership changes and the resignations of several esteemed members.
Donald Trump has officially taken over as the chair of the Kennedy Center, with the board now consisting of his appointees. This board played a key role in his election, replacing David Rubenstein and appointing Richard Grenell as the interim president.
Following this leadership transition, former President Deborah Rutter and multiple officials from her administration were dismissed. This move underscores a significant redirection in the institution's management and cultural agenda.
The changes at the center have prompted Shonda Rhimes to resign from her role as treasurer, while Ben Folds also stepped down as the artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra. Renowned singer Renee Flemming has also left her position praising the leadership of the past. Renowned television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes stated in her resignation, "Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center."
Moreover, Trump has openly criticized the Kennedy Center for its liberal inclinations and what he terms its "woke" culture, particularly taking issue with events such as "Drag Shows". He has expressed a commitment to shift the center's cultural offerings more in line with traditional American values.
During an appearance on Anderson Cooper's show, journalist Jake Tapper highlighted that Trump's election was not as unanimous as initially presented, revealing that there were abstentions and some opposition. However, the overall vote heavily favored Trump, according to Tapper: "There were some votes that were abstentions and there were some votes against," but the outcome significantly supported Trump.
Singer Lee Greenwood and several former White House staff members are among the new appointees to the board. These changes follow Trump's dismissal of members appointed by former President Joe Biden.
Trump's leadership is not limited to just administrative changes; he has ambitious plans for his tenure. Specifically, he seeks to close certain government agencies such as the Department of Education and USAID to enact broader reforms, which include revising the ethos and programming of the Kennedy Center itself.
He stated his intent to reinvent the Kennedy Center, moving away from its recent cultural trajectory. "It is a great honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!" expressed Trump.
The former U.S. President, who notably did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors performances during his previous term in the White House, has criticized the institution as alienating some potential patrons due to its ideological leanings. This stance indicates his intent to reshape its cultural activities and audience engagement strategies.
Dave Rubenstein and Deborah Rutter unexpectedly cut short their plans to continue in their roles, showing a swift and decisive shift in governance and vision under Trump's leadership.
As the Kennedy Center ushers in this new era under Donald Trump's leadership, the landscape of its cultural and administrative structure has irrevocably altered. With high-profile departures and controversial changes, observers will see how the center evolves to balance its rich history with its new directional ethos under Trump.
