President Donald Trump has announced plans to overhaul the leadership of the Kennedy Center, removing board members and appointing himself as chairman. On Monday, February 10, he named Richard Grenell—an openly gay man and current “Special Presidential Envoy for Special Missions”—as the interim executive director of the renowned arts institution.
Trump’s decision appears to be a response to drag performances at the Kennedy Center, which he called “anti-American propaganda.”
“I am pleased to announce that Ric Grenell will serve as the Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center. NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”
Targeting Drag Performances
In a previous social media post, Trump claimed the Kennedy Center had hosted drag shows aimed at children and vowed that “THIS WILL STOP.” His criticism appears to reference events such as the Dragtastic Dress-up program, which introduced LGBTQ+ youth and their families to the history of drag, as well as adult-focused drag brunches and performances.
The Kennedy Center released a statement acknowledging Trump’s post but stated that no official communications from the White House had been received regarding board replacements.
“Per the center’s governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the center’s board members,” the February 7 statement read. “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.”
Backlash and Censorship Concerns
Qommittee, a national network of drag performers and allies, condemned Trump’s decision, arguing that it is part of a broader attack on LGBTQ+ communities.
“This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America’s stage,” the group stated. “Banning an entire art form is censorship, plain and simple. Americans don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be able to speak our minds and perform our art without bans, retaliation, or intimidation.”
The group has launched a petition demanding protections for artistic freedom at the Kennedy Center, a commitment to diverse programming, and policies to prevent political interference in artistic decisions.
Meanwhile, when questioned about his interest in chairing the Kennedy Center’s board, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One:
“Because I want to make sure it runs properly. We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center… Some of the shows were terrible. They’re a disgrace that they were even put on.”
Asked if he had attended any of the performances he criticized, Trump admitted he had not.
“I didn’t go, no. I got reports. It was so bad I didn’t wanna go! It was nothing I wanted to see,” he said.
