Ric Grenell Appointed as Interim Executive Director of the Kennedy Center, Deborah F. Rutter's Contract Terminated

Trump, who is now officially the Kennedy Center Board Chair, says Grenell "shares his vision for a golden age of American arts and culture"

This evening, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington D.C. sent out a statement outlining executive leadership changes.

Effective immediately, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, has been elected as Kennedy Center Board Chair, replacing former Chair David M. Rubenstein.

At a Kennedy Center Board meeting this afternoon, the Board also terminated Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter’s contract and announced Richard Grenell as interim Kennedy Center President.

Last month, Rutter had announced her decision to step down at the end of this year.

A staunch advocate for Trump’s policies, Grenell has served multiple posts during Trump's first term — including ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence.

"Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center," Trump wrote on social media. "NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA – ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!"

Fourteen new Kennedy Center Board of Trustee members were also announced today — including President Donald J. Trump, Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, Allison Lutnick, Lynda Lomangino, Mindy Levine, Usha Vance, Pamela Gross, John Falconetti, Cheri Summerall, Sergio Gor, Emilia May Fanjul, Patricia Duggan, Dana Blumberg, bringing the total number of board members to 31.

To view the full list, please see here.

In his first term, Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony all four years he was in power, becoming the first president to do so. According to NPR, the decision was taken after a few honorees declined his invitation to a reception at the White House.

Earlier in the week, in response to Trump's initial plans to install himself as Chair, the Kennedy Center released a statement that said it "has had a bi-partisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a non-partisan fashion."

"Throughout our history, the Kennedy Center has enjoyed strong support from members of Congress and their staffs — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents," the statement continued.

They also noted that the federal government contributions account for "just 16% of the total operating budget, and all the Center's artistic programming is funded by ticket sales, donations, rental income, and other revenue sources."