Overview

• Tavish Forsyth, a Kennedy Center Opera Institute contractor, posted a 35-minute nude video criticizing President Trump's takeover of the institution and his ban on drag performances.
• The Kennedy Center fired Forsyth, citing concerns about his work with minors and calling the video 'extremely disturbing.'
• Forsyth's protest condemned the erosion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives under Trump's leadership of the Kennedy Center.
• The video, which included explicit language and nudity, questioned whether Forsyth should resign or remain to advocate for the institution's values.
• The incident has reignited discussions about artistic freedom, political influence on cultural institutions, and the role of artists in challenging systemic oppression.