Overview

• John Lithgow, accepting the best actor award at the Olivier Awards in London, called Donald Trump’s second presidency a 'pure disaster' for the arts in the United States.
• Lithgow specifically criticized the Trump administration’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, including the firing of Deborah Rutter and the appointment of loyalist Ric Grenell as interim leader.
• The actor highlighted the fragile state of US arts, already weakened by the coronavirus pandemic, and said current policies are exacerbating the crisis.
• Despite his criticisms, Lithgow expressed cautious optimism, suggesting that difficult times can inspire meaningful artistic creation.
• Lithgow’s comments reflect broader concerns about political interference in cultural institutions and its impact on the US arts landscape.