Overview

• President Trump has dismissed several Kennedy Center board members and announced plans to install himself as chairman of the board, a departure from longstanding traditions.
• Richard Grenell, a Trump ally and former acting director of national intelligence, has been named as interim executive director, though the role’s exact responsibilities remain unclear.
• Trump has criticized past Kennedy Center programming, particularly drag shows, and vowed to align the institution with his vision of 'traditional American culture.'
• Arts leaders and critics express alarm over the potential politicization of the Kennedy Center, with some fearing broader implications for federally funded cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations.
• Legal experts question the president’s authority to unilaterally reshape the Kennedy Center’s governance, with calls for potential legal challenges from removed board members.