Donald Trump on Friday proclaimed his intention to take over the leadership of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in DC and to boot the current board and chairman.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. 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,” the president wrote on his own social media platform Truth Social.
He added that the “amazing” new chairman will be none other than himself.
“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!,” he wrote.
Some of the drag shows Trump seemed to be referencing were the “Broadway Drag Brunch” and “Bertha: Grateful Drag.”
David Rubenstein is the current chairman of the center and was set to hold the post through until 2026.
Among the board members who Trump intends to replace are two appointed by former President Biden: one-time White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and adviser Mike Donilon.
“The Kennedy Center has received no formal notifications from the White House about what you’ve reported,” Eileen Andrews, the center’s vice president of public relations, told The Atlantic, who first reported this story.
During his first term, Trump did not attend the center’s annual galas. In 2017, when the enter’s honorees included legendary producer Norman Lear. Trump and the first lady chose not to attend.
“The president and first lady have decided not to participate in this year’s activities to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction,” the White House said at the time.
