Trump Declares Himself Kennedy Center Chairman, Ousts Board Members
In a move that has stirred up controversy, former President Donald Trump announced that he is appointing himself as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Not stopping there, he also declared the immediate termination of multiple board members, including the current chairman, David Rubenstein. Trump made this bold declaration on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying he intends to usher in a "Golden Age in Arts and Culture."
The Kennedy Center, a symbol of American performing arts, has long operated as a public-private partnership, with its board members typically appointed by the sitting president. However, Trump's unilateral decision to remove and replace members is unprecedented. While the center’s spokesperson acknowledged awareness of Trump's announcement, they noted that no official communication had been received from the White House regarding these changes.
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David Rubenstein, the outgoing chairman, is a billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of the Carlyle Group. He has held the position since 2010, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. While his term was set to expire, the Kennedy Center had previously decided to extend it until September 2026. Rubenstein’s ties to past administrations, including those of Jimmy Carter and Joe Biden, make his removal particularly striking.
Trump’s decision appears to be driven by his dissatisfaction with the center’s recent programming, specifically criticizing what he described as "drag shows targeting youth." He made it clear that such performances would be eliminated under his leadership. While the Kennedy Center has historically maintained a bipartisan board that supports the arts beyond politics, this latest shake-up raises concerns about increased political influence over cultural institutions.
Interestingly, during his first term, Trump never attended the Kennedy Center Honors, a tradition for U.S. presidents. His relationship with the arts community has been rocky, with many artists openly opposing his administration. Now, however, he appears determined to take control of the institution and reshape its direction.
Ending his Truth Social post with his signature phrase, “THE BEST IS YET TO COME,” Trump signaled that this is just the beginning of his vision for the Kennedy Center. Whether this move will stand unchallenged or face legal and political pushback remains to be seen.
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