President Donald Trump recently announced that he wants to make big changes at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He plans to remove board members and appoint himself as chairman. This has led to many questions about what will happen to the famous cultural institution.
But what exactly is the Kennedy Center? Why is it such an important part of American culture? And does Trump have the power to make these changes? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is the Kennedy Center?
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is the United States’ national cultural center. It is located in Washington, D.C. and serves as a major venue for the arts. The idea for the center was introduced during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s administration in 1958, but it didn’t officially open its doors until 1971.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy played a major role in raising $30 million to fund the center’s construction. Sadly, just two months after Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a law to officially name the center in his honor.
Since then, the Kennedy Center has hosted a variety of performances, including theater, dance, music, and opera. It is also home to two major organizations—the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
Every year in December, the Kennedy Center presents the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognizes outstanding contributions to American culture. Past honorees include famous figures such as Ella Fitzgerald, Tennessee Williams, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Sinatra, Carole King, Billy Joel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Queen Latifah.
The center is a major attraction, drawing nearly 2 million visitors each year.
Why Does Trump Want to Change the Kennedy Center?
On Friday, Trump posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying he planned to remove several board members from the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees. He specifically mentioned Chairman David M. Rubenstein, saying that these individuals “do not share our vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” However, he did not list all the names of those he wanted to replace.
Trump also announced his intention to make himself chairman of the Kennedy Center. Later, he posted an image with the words: “Welcome to the New Kennedy Center!”
In his statement, Trump strongly criticized drag performances, saying they were being promoted to children. He connected this concern to his decision to take control of the center. His comments reflect a broader political debate over drag performances, which have been targeted by some politicians.
He described the Kennedy Center as “an American jewel”, saying it should feature the “brightest stars” from all over the country.
According to the center’s official records, it held a few drag-related events last year. These included a “Dragtastic Dress-Up” event for LGBTQ+ youth, a Dancing Queens Drag Brunch, and a Drag Salute to Divas.
Trump’s issues with the Kennedy Center go back to 2017, when several award honorees refused to participate in ceremonies that included him. This happened after he was criticized for his handling of the Charlottesville white nationalist rally. In response, the White House announced that neither Trump nor First Lady Melania Trump would attend the Kennedy Center Honors that year. He continued to skip the event throughout his presidency, breaking a long-standing tradition.
Does Trump Have the Power to Fire Board Members and Make Himself Chairman?
The Kennedy Center released a statement on Friday, acknowledging Trump’s social media posts but stating that they had received no official communication from the White House regarding board changes.
By law, the president has the authority to appoint board members, but the chairman is chosen by the board itself. The statement also mentioned that while a new administration can replace board members, such an action has never been taken in the center’s nearly 70-year history.
Despite this, some board members have already been notified about their removal, according to Deborah F. Rutter, the Kennedy Center’s president. In an email to staff, she confirmed that termination notices had been sent.
Board members appointed by the president usually serve for six years. If Trump follows through with his plan, it would be an unprecedented move.
Where Does the Kennedy Center Get Its Funding?
The Kennedy Center receives annual federal funding, mainly to help with building maintenance and repairs. Since the center serves as a memorial to President Kennedy, part of its budget comes from government support.
However, the federal funds only make up 16% of the center’s budget. The rest of the funding comes from ticket sales, private donations, rental income, and other sources.
For the 2025 fiscal year, the center requested $45.73 million from Congress for operations, renovations, and maintenance.
Who Runs the Kennedy Center Right Now?
Currently, the Kennedy Center is overseen by a 36-member board of trustees. These trustees are appointed by the sitting president, as stated in the original legislation that created the center. Since trustees serve for six years, the board consists of appointees from both Trump’s and Biden’s presidencies.
Despite its ties to the federal government, the Kennedy Center is officially nonpartisan. On its website, it acknowledges the bipartisan efforts of Eisenhower and Kennedy in its creation. The center has historically received support from both Republican and Democratic leaders.
In its statement on Friday, the Kennedy Center emphasized that it has worked with every presidential administration and has always maintained a bipartisan board that supports the arts without political bias.
Notable Board Members
The board includes several well-known figures:
- Jon Batiste, a musician who performed at Biden’s first state dinner
- Shonda Rhimes, a TV producer and Biden supporter
- Elaine Chao, Trump’s former Secretary of Transportation
- Pam Bondi, Trump’s former Attorney General
- Lee Greenwood, the singer of “God Bless the USA”, a song Trump frequently used in his campaigns
Before leaving office, President Biden appointed several new members, including:
- Karine Jean-Pierre, former White House press secretary
- Evan Ryan, former White House Cabinet secretary
- Michael Donilon, a longtime Biden adviser
Additionally, all living first ladies—from Melania Trump to Hillary Clinton—serve as honorary chairs of the Kennedy Center.
Who Is David M. Rubenstein?
David M. Rubenstein has been the Kennedy Center’s chairman since 2010. He was first appointed by President George W. Bush, then reappointed by President Barack Obama and later by President Joe Biden.
Rubenstein is a wealthy philanthropist and principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles. Recently, he and Deborah F. Rutter (the Kennedy Center’s president) announced their plans to step down.
In an interview, Rutter insisted that the decision was not political. She pointed out that during her time as president, most of the board members were appointed by Trump, and they had a strong working relationship.
My Thoughts
Trump’s proposal to take over the Kennedy Center has sparked controversy. While the president does have some influence over board appointments, actually removing trustees and making himself chairman would be an unusual and unprecedented move.
For now, the future of the Kennedy Center remains uncertain as people wait to see if Trump follows through with his plans or if legal challenges will arise.
