On Thursday, February 13, 2025, Donald Trump was unanimously elected chairman of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
“President Donald J. Trump was just unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The President stated, “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,’” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s road to becoming Kennedy Center chairman began last Friday, February 7, 2025 when he told reporters of his desire to lead the world-renowned arts and culture venue.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.,” Trump stated. “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.”
In the wake of Trump’s statement last Friday, more than a dozen employees at the Kennedy Center have moved on, including the center’s president, Deborah Rutter, and treasurer, Shonda Rhimes.
“After more than 10 extraordinary years in Washington, D.C., collaborating with some of the most phenomenal artists, cultural leaders, diplomats, philanthropists, volunteers, and administrators, I have come to believe it is time to pass the torch,” said Rutter. “It has been a great honor to work with the best in the world. It is time now to hand this truly unique institution to a new leader who will take the power and majesty of the arts to the next level.”
Issa Rae also cancelled a sold-out event she planned to host at the Kennedy Center on March 16, 2025.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” Rae wrote.
As many have distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center, the institution has expanded its board to add several new members, including Vice President JD Vance’s wife, Usha, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. With the new board, Trump was unanimously elected as the board’s next chairman.
