‘A new board with a fantastic chairman’: Trump is moving to revise the Kennedy Center, declares himself chairman

File Photo: US President Donald Trump (Image Credit: AP)

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is shooting several board members of the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and appointing himself a step that breaks with the tradition of one of the country’s leading cultural institutions.
In a post on his truth’s social platform, Trump wrote: “In my direction, we have to make the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, great again.

I have decided to immediately end several people from the board, including the chairman who do not share our vision for a golden age in art and culture. We will soon announce a new board with a fantastic chairman, Donald J Trump! Just last year contained the Kennedy Center Drag Shows specifically aimed at our youth, this will stop. The Kennedy Center is an American jewel and must reflect the brightest stars on its stage from our entire nation. For the Kennedy Center, the best has not yet come!

Later he also published an AI-generated picture of him in the center and wrote: “Welcome to the new Kennedy Center!

Trump also suggested he would dictate programming and said the center had previously hosted drag shows he considered inappropriate.
According to the news agency AP, the Kennedy Center’s website confirms that in July 2024 it hosted “A Towel to Divas”, followed by a drag brunch in November.
The Kennedy Center’s Board of Directors, which has 36 members, is divided between Trump and Biden -appointed. Some board members appointed by former President Joe Biden have reportedly received termination messages from Sergio Gor, head of Trump’s presidential staff office, reported The New York Times.
David Rubenstein, the current chairman and a long -time philanthropist, had planned to retire in January 2025, but later accepted to stay until September 2026 after the bite’s election defeat.
In a statement, the Kennedy Center said it was aware of Trump’s post but had not received any official communication from the White House.
“There is nothing in the center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members, but this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board,” the statement says.

Trump’s story with Kennedy Center

Unlike former presidents, Trump did not attend the Kennedy Center -Head Certificate during his first period after some Honore’s criticized him.
The move to review the board is in line with Trump’s broader efforts to reshape government institutions during its second period, including freezing expenses, dismantling of federal agencies and the end of diversity, justice and inclusion initiatives.
Trump’s plan to replace the board and take on control of the Kennedy Center sets a new precedent. The center’s board of directors typically operates with bipartisan cooperation, and members are appointed six years, which means they are not easily removed.
With several board members who now receive termination notifications, the future management of the Kennedy Center remains uncertain.