Trump says he’s firing Kennedy Center board of trustees members and naming himself chairman

Trump Fires Kennedy Center Trustees, Declares Himself Chairman

In a bold move, President Donald Trump has announced the removal of multiple members from the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In their place, Trump has declared himself the new chairman, vowing to reshape the institution’s cultural direction.

On Friday, Trump made the announcement via his social media platform, stating:

"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. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman—DONALD J. TRUMP!"

Additionally, Trump indicated he would dictate programming at the prestigious arts venue, specifically stating his intention to ban performances featuring drag artists.

This move comes amid Trump’s sweeping efforts during the early weeks of his second term, which include shutting down federal agencies, freezing government spending, and eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

In response, the Kennedy Center issued a statement on its website, acknowledging the president’s post but stating that it had received no official communication from the White House regarding board changes. However, some board members have reportedly received termination notices.

As the situation unfolds, the impact of Trump’s decision on one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions remains to be seen.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.