Kennedy Center Responds to Trump’s Plan to Appoint Himself Chairman

February 8, 2025: Trump’s Announcement

On February 7, 2025, President Donald Trump declared his intention to appoint himself as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a move that would involve dismissing several current board members, including the existing chairman, David M. Rubenstein. In his statement, Trump criticized the center for hosting drag shows targeting youth and expressed his vision for a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”

Kennedy Center’s Response

In response, the Kennedy Center issued a statement acknowledging Trump’s social media post but noted that they had not received any official communication from the White House regarding changes to the board. The center emphasized that, according to its governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the center’s board members. While a new administration can replace board members, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board.

Implications for the Arts Community

This development has raised concerns within the arts community about potential political influence on cultural institutions. Critics argue that such a move could undermine the Kennedy Center’s tradition of bipartisan support and its role as a nonpartisan cultural hub. The center has historically maintained a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration, with a bipartisan board of trustees supporting the arts in a non-partisan fashion.

As this situation unfolds, the arts community and the public await further developments regarding the governance of the Kennedy Center and its future direction under the new administration.

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Published by HOLR Magazine

Sources: Associated Press, People

Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty; AP Photo/J. David Ake