The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington is facing a wave of resignations and cancellations following Donald Trump's controversial takeover. Shonda Rhimes resigned from her position as treasurer, while Ben Folds stepped down as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra. These high-profile exits reflect the growing dissatisfaction among performers and members after Trump installed himself as chair of the center and purged the board of appointees by Joe Biden.
Trump's takeover has sparked significant backlash from the artistic community. The new board, filled with Trump loyalists, terminated the center's president, Deborah Rutter, and appointed Richard Grenell as interim president. This move prompted several stars to sever their ties with the center, expressing concerns over the institution's future direction.
Issa Rae, who was scheduled to perform a one-night-only show titled "An Evening with Issa Rae" in March, cancelled her appearance in response to the changes.
“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” – Issa Rae
In a similar vein, Reneé Fleming stepped down from her role as artistic adviser to the center, citing her appreciation for the bipartisan support that had traditionally characterized the institution.
“I’ve treasured the bipartisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best” – Reneé Fleming
The restructuring has also seen David M. Rubenstein, a highly regarded figure, praised by Issa Rae for his previous service as chair of the Kennedy Center. Meanwhile, Trump's justification for assuming the chair position focused on his disapproval of certain performances.
“Some of the shows were terrible, they were a disgrace” – Donald Trump
The sweeping changes at the Kennedy Center represent a dramatic shift in leadership and vision. With Trump's assertion that the center did not need "woke" influences, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact its cultural legacy.