Angry over drag show performances at the Kennedy Center, the current administration has demanded change by firing a number of the bipartisan board members and installing their own loyal followers instead.
On Wednesday afternoon, the new board members fired Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter – who had already announced her leaving the position at the end of the year – and has named Richard Grenell as interim president. Grenell was formerly the acting director of national intelligence and has no art administration experience.
Rutter spoke to Kennedy Center staff members before leaving saying, “I hope I’m not saying goodbye as a friend and colleague to all of you, but I am leaving now. And I just want us to keep these ideals that we wear in our lanyard central to the work that we do. And they are from J.F.K. and his family. They were the ones that confirmed them and added one. So let’s remember: courage, justice, freedom, service and gratitude. “I hope you know how much I care about all of you, and I pray for the best for each of you.”
Vowing to “overhaul” the Kennedy Center, the President has been named the chairman of the board saying via his Truth Social media site, “we will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
Musician Jon Batiste was among the ousted board members.
New trustees include White House personnel chief of staff Susie Wiles, the wife of vice-president Usha Vance, and personnel office director Sergio Gor.
Citing “developments at the Kennedy Center”, musicians Ben Folds announced his resignation as the artistic adviser for the National Symphony Orchestra.
During his first term, the President never attended the Kennedy Center including the annual Kennedy Center Honours.