Trump Announces Plans to Dismiss Kennedy Center Trustees and Appoint Himself as New Chairman

February 7, 2025 TruthUSA

The Kennedy Center stands as Washington’s foremost performing arts venue, with a board that comprises various cultural and political figures of prominence.

WASHINGTON—On February 7, President Donald Trump announced that he plans to dismiss the chairman and several trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and intends to appoint himself as the new chairman of the board.

Established in 1971, the Kennedy Center is the primary location for performing arts in the capital. It annually hosts the Kennedy Center Honors, which celebrate lifetime achievements in American culture and are regarded as some of the highest honors in the performing arts in the United States. The center is overseen by a Board of Trustees, consisting of presidential appointees and several ex-officio members appointed by Act of Congress, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, among others.

On February 7, Trump declared in a post on TruthSocial that he was removing chairman David Mark Rubenstein and other presidential appointees from the board, announcing that a new board of trustees, with himself as chairman, would be revealed shortly.

“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,” Trump stated. “We will soon unveil a new Board, headed by an incredible Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”

Trump criticized the board for its alleged misconduct, claiming it allowed inappropriate performances at the Kennedy Center. “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP,” he insisted. “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel and must showcase the brightest STARS from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”

Rubenstein, the ousted chairman, is a billionaire co-chairing The Carlyle Group, a private equity firm, and is the owner of the Baltimore Orioles, a Major League Baseball team. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Washington and a significant philanthropist, having been honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden shortly before Biden exited office. In addition to his role at the Kennedy Center, Rubenstein also chairs the University of Chicago’s Board of Trustees and the Council on Foreign Relations board of directors, and he serves as president of the Alfalfa Club, an exclusive group of political and business leaders.

Trump and Rubenstein have had a close relationship in the past. In 2014, Rubenstein, who also chairs the Economic Club of Washington, D.C.—interviewed Trump before he announced his run for the presidency in the 2016 election. During that discussion, Trump revealed his intention to enter the race.

It is currently unclear which members Trump has dismissed from the board and who will take their place. Prior to Trump’s statement, the board already included several Democratic and Republican appointees, along with Trump supporters. Notable members include Attorney General Pamela Bondi, singer and “God Bless the U.S.A.” songwriter Lee Greenwood, former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao (who is married to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)), and Mike Donilon, a long-time political adviser to Biden.

The Kennedy Center has not yet responded to requests for comment.

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