Trump Plans to Dismiss Board and Install Himself as Chair of D.C.'s Kennedy Center

In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized the Center's past programming, including drag performances

The United States President, Donald Trump, has announced plans to dramatically reshape the governance of The Kennedy Center by removing several of its board members, including its Chair, billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein. Trump stated that he intends to install himself as Board Chair.

In a post on Trump's social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized The Kennedy Center's past programming, particularly the performances that showcased drag culture.

In its own statement, the Kennedy Center noted that it is funded by a "unique public-private partnership," with the federal contribution to its finances relating only to the upkeep and maintenance of the building in which the Center is housed. This contribution amounts to 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."

According to The Guardian, David Rubinstein had initially planned to retire in 2025 — but following Trump's election, the Center was unable to find a new chair, and so Rubinstein agreed to stay on until September 2026. Previously, Rubinstein served as a policy adviser to Jimmy Carter.

"At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN," Trump wrote in his statement. "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!"

The Kennedy Center stated that its team was aware of Trump's social media post, yet received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to the board of trustees. They did note, however, that some members of the board received termination notices from the administration.

"Throughout our history, the Kennedy Center has enjoyed strong support from members of congress and their staffs — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents," wrote The Kennedy Center in a statement. "Since our doors opened in 1971, 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."

"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."

According to NPR, in Trump's first term, he did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony after a few honorees declined his invitation for a reception at the White House. He skipped all four years and became the first President ever to do that.