Trump Announces Plan to Name Himself Chairman of the Kennedy Center and Dismiss Current Board

Mar. 15, 2025

Donald Trump.Photo:James Devaney/GC

Former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to Trump Tower on May 30, 2024 in New York City

James Devaney/GC

PresidentDonald Trumpis eyeing the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

In a post shared to hisTruth Socialplatform Friday, Feb. 7, the president, 78, announced plans to terminate current officials at the national cultural center and replace them with himself and members of his team.

“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote, borrowing from his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.

“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!” he continued.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.Getty

Kennedy Center

Getty

David M. Rubenstein is listed as the current chairman.

According to his post, Trump’s reasoning behind the decision seemed to be “drag shows specifically targeting our youth” that the Kennedy Center hosted last year.

“THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote.

He concluded, “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!”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Donald Trump, October 2024.Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump gives remarks on border security inside an airplane hanger at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on October 25, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Trump will travel to Traverse City, Michigan, to hold a rally as he continues to visit battleground states ahead of the November 5 election.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty

The Center released the following statement after Trump’s declaration:

“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,” it read.

“You are currently in a temporary waiting room to enter the Kennedy Center website,” a message read.

According to the prompt, users would be able to access the website “as traffic subsides.”

Rubenstein, 75, was already set to retire in January 2025, but after Trump was elected president, he extended his role at the Kennedy Center until September 2026, theNew York Timesreported.

When Trump was elected president during his first term in 2016, he broke tradition when he opted out of attending the Kennedy Center Honors, the Times andThe Hillreported.

source: people.com