Shonda Rhimes Resigns from Kennedy Center Board After Donald Trump Is Elected Chair

Mar. 15, 2025

Shonda Rhimes (left) and Donald Trump.Photo:Mike Marsland/WireImage; GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty

Mike Marsland/WireImage; GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty

As PresidentDonald Trumpenters,Shonda Rhimesexits.

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, a spokesperson for the television executive, 55, confirmed that theGrey’s Anatomycreator has resigned from her role as treasurer of the Kennedy Center.

Shonda Rhimes at the 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on March 14, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.Mark Von Holden/Variety/Getty

Mark Von Holden/Variety/Getty

TheNYTalso reported that Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter was fired from her position andRichard Grenellwas appointed interim president, while Trump replaced former chair David M. Rubenstein.

Rhimes, whose best known for creating hit shows likeScandalandBridgerton, isn’t the only board member who has announced their exit.

Earlier today,Ben Foldsalso confirmed he was resigning as artistic adviser of the National Symphony Orchestra. A few hours later, Renée Fleming also followed suit and shared her plans to leave her role as artistic adviser at large.

“Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me,” Folds wrote in a statementshared to Instagram. “It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, and the entire NSO staff, encouraging thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate symphonic music.”

The multi-platinum singer/songwriter/producer concluded, “Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra — just the best!”

On Friday, Feb. 7, Trump announced his plans to replace Rubenstein as well as other board of trustee members on social media platform, Truth Social.

“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," he wrote. “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”

Donald Trump.CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty

CHIP SOMODEVILLA/POOL/AFP via Getty

The President claimed that his reasoning behind the decision stemmed from “drag shows specifically targeting our youth” that the Kennedy Center hosted last year, adding, “THIS WILL STOP.”

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The Kennedy Center responded on Feb. 8, saying that they “received no official communications from the White House.”

source: people.com