Kennedy Center responds to Trump’s announcement that he’s taking over as chairman – WUSA9.com
Next up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoNext up in 5Example video title will go here for this videoWASHINGTON — On the heels of social media posts from President Donald Trump concerning leadership changes at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts venue confirmed that some members of its board of trustees had received termination notices. However, a statement issued by the Kennedy Center said they had not been in direct communication with anyone in the administration. “We have received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees,” the statement said. “We are aware that some members of our board have received termination notices from the administration.” The president announced the changes coming via Truth Social, which he owns, citing disagreements over the vision for the Kennedy Center. “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,” Trump wrote. “We will soon announce a new board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”He also took issue with drag performances at the Kennedy Center. Shortly after, he posted a photo that appeared to be AI-generated of himself as an orchestra conductor with the caption “Welcome to the New Kennedy Center!” No details have been released on which board members have received termination notices, and Trump did not specify who he wanted to remove. Current Board Chairman David Rubenstein declined to comment. It was announced in November 2024 that he would remain at the helm until September 2026, after a search for a new board chair took longer than expected. He was appointed to the Board by former president George W. Bush in 2004. Deborah Rutter, the center’s president since 2014, was expected to step down at the end of 2025. According to the Kennedy Center website, the board of trustees is made up of six officers — including Rubenstein and Rutter — and 36 members appointed by the president for six-year terms. The chair of the board has been appointed by the board members themselves for decades, according to the Kennedy Center. “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,” the statement said. “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.”The Kennedy Center has been receiving federal funding since 1972, when an amendment was added to the Public Buildings Act of 1959 allowing funds to be administered through the National Park service to assist with “maintenance, security, and other services necessary to operate and maintain the building.” In 1995, the Board was tasked with overseeing the use of all appropriated funds, which amounts to 16% of its total operating budget, according to a Kennedy Center statement. “Since the start of FY 1995, the Board has been responsible for operations of the Kennedy Center, including both the management and expenditure of federal appropriated funds for operation, maintenance, and capital repair of the presidential memorial as well as its trust-funded artistic programming,” the Kennedy Center’s 2025 fiscal year budget justification to Congress states. The 2025 budget justification shows the Kennedy Center requested $45.7M in federal funding. In a 2022 press release from the White House where former President Joe Biden was announcing his appointment of seven board members– six of whom are still active, and the seventh serves as an emeritus trustee — the mission of the board members was said to be “providing guidance and direction” to help the Kennedy Center fulfill a three-part mission:See the full Kennedy Center statement regarding Trump’s announcement below: “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 in 1971, we have had a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration. Since that time, the Kennedy Center has had a bipartisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a nonpartisan 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.”
