Trump moves to reshape Kennedy Center, vows to end drag shows

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump announced his plans to remove multiple members of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees Friday, including Chairman David M. Rubenstein.

Rubenstein, a billionaire investor and philanthropist, has led the Kennedy Center since 2010. He is also co-founder of the Carlyle Group, chairman of the National Gallery of Art and the Council on Foreign Relations, and a major donor to arts and cultural institutions.

Kennedy Center Performing Arts with reflection on Potomac River, Washington D.C. (Photo by: Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Trump criticizes Kennedy Center drag shows

The backstory:

In a Truth Social post, Trump criticized past programming, specifically highlighting drag performances hosted at the venue.

"At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN," Trump posted. "I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP! Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"

Kennedy Center’s history and legacy

Dig deeper:

The Kennedy Center, established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, has long been a pillar of the nation’s cultural scene. 

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation creating a National Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. President and Mrs. Kennedy launched a $30 million fundraising campaign in 1962 to support its construction, with bipartisan backing from former President Eisenhower. Following President Kennedy’s assassination, Congress renamed the center in his honor, with President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the designation into law in 1964.

In 2024, the Kennedy Center held shows such as "Dancing Queens Drag Brunch" and "A Drag Salute to Divas."

Trump vowed to end such shows, calling for a "Golden Age in Arts and Culture" under his leadership.

Kennedy Center statement

What they're saying:

Throughout our history, the Kennedy Center has enjoyed strong support from members of congress and their staffs—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. Since our doors opened in1971, we have had a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration. Since that time, the Kennedy Center has had a bi-partisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a non-partisan fashion.

While we are a living memorial to President Kennedy, we are also a unique public-private partnership. The Center is supported by federal annual appropriations for the upkeep and maintenance of the building as a federal memorial, or approximately 16% of the total operating budget. Support for the Center’s artistic programming comes from ticket sales, donations, rental income, and other revenue sources.

The Kennedy Center is aware of the post made recently by POTUS on social media. We have received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees. We are aware that some members of our board have received termination notices from the administration.

Per the Center’s governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the Center’s board members. There is nothing in the Center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board.