Trump Announces Plan to Overhaul Kennedy Center Leadership—With Himself at the Helm

Former President Donald Trump announced on Friday his intention to overhaul the leadership of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump declared that he plans to dismiss several board members, including the current chairman, and appoint himself as the new head of the institution.

“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote, signaling his desire to reshape the prestigious cultural institution in line with his vision. He further explained that his decision to remove board members stems from a belief that they do not align with what he described as a “Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” However, he did not specify which individuals he intends to remove.

The Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees consists of 36 members, all of whom are appointed by the sitting president and serve six-year terms. The board traditionally includes a mix of Republican and Democratic appointees, reflecting changes in administration over time. Trump’s proposed shake-up could significantly alter the center’s leadership and direction, sparking debate over the role of politics in the arts.

His announcement has already drawn attention, with critics and supporters alike speculating on how his leadership might impact the Kennedy Center’s programming, funding, and overall artistic vision. Whether he will follow through with these plans remains to be seen, but his comments suggest a broader push to reshape cultural institutions under his influence.

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts responded to former President Donald Trump’s recent announcement about firing board members, stating that it had not yet received any official communication from the White House regarding such changes. However, the institution acknowledged that some members of its Board of Trustees had received termination notices from the administration.

In an official statement, the Kennedy Center emphasized the unprecedented nature of this move, noting that while there are no legal restrictions preventing a new administration from replacing board members, no president has ever taken such an action before. “There is nothing in the Center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board,” the statement read.

The board’s current chairman, David Rubenstein, a prominent philanthropist and co-founder of the Carlyle Group, has held the position for 14 years. However, he previously announced his plans to step down from the board in September 2026. Meanwhile, Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, who has led the institution since 2014, also recently announced that she would be stepping down by the end of 2025.

Trump’s strained relationship with the Kennedy Center dates back to his first term in office. In 2017, he and then-First Lady Melania Trump declined to attend that year’s Kennedy Center Honors after some of the event’s honorees threatened to boycott the ceremony in protest of his presidency. His latest efforts to restructure the board further highlight his ongoing tensions with the institution and his broader push to reshape cultural organizations under his leadership.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is one of the most prominent cultural institutions in the United States, attracting more than two million visitors each year. According to its official website, the center hosts over 2,200 performances, events, and exhibitions annually, making it a cornerstone of the nation’s arts and entertainment scene.

Established by Congress in 1958, the Kennedy Center was designed to serve as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, honoring his legacy and commitment to the arts. Its Board of Trustees consists of 36 members who are directly appointed by the sitting president, along with ex-officio members—government leaders who hold positions designated by Congress. This structure ensures that the board includes a mix of political appointees and individuals from various branches of government.

Before leaving office, former President Joe Biden appointed several new members to the Kennedy Center’s board. Among these appointees was Karine Jean-Pierre, who previously served as White House press secretary under the Biden administration. These appointments were part of the routine process of shaping the board’s leadership, reflecting the tradition of each administration selecting individuals aligned with their vision for the arts and cultural policy.