Overview

• Donald Trump has appointed himself chair of the Kennedy Center, replacing board members and leadership with loyalists, including Richard Grenell as interim director despite his lack of arts experience.
• The move has led to significant disruptions, including artist cancellations, staff resignations, and the cancellation of LGBT-related programming, sparking fears of cultural and ideological shifts.
• Critics draw parallels to authoritarian strategies, such as those employed by Hungary's Viktor Orbán, where control over cultural institutions is used to influence national narratives and suppress dissent.
• The Kennedy Center, which relies heavily on private donations and ticket sales, faces potential financial instability as donors and audiences react to the changes.
• Broader concerns have emerged over federal arts institutions, with reports of ideological filtering for grants and the removal of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across other organizations.