It’s official! After vowing to replace the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees members and chairman, President Donald Trump has been unanimously elected to lead the board; and subsequently, producer and writer Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board, plus, fellow TV writer and producer Issa Rae has canceled her sold-out event.
Last week, we shared that Donald Trump slammed the Kennedy Center over drag show performances involving the youth. He promised to fire the Board of Trustees members and name himself the chairman, taking over programming at the nation’s premier performing arts organization.
On Friday evening (February 7), Trump made his announcement on social media while citing his disagreements over the vision for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Taking to Truth Social, he wrote:
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN. 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! Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP. 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!”
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Later, Trump posted an AI-generated image of him standing in the Kennedy Center and wrote, “Welcome to the New Kennedy Center.”
Responding to the President’s comments, the performing arts venue confirmed that some members of its board of trustees had received termination notices. However, an official statement later issued revealed they had not been in direct communication with anyone in the Trump administration. The statement read:
“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.”
Donald Trump Unanimously Elected To Kennedy Center Board As Chairman
On Wednesday (February 12), President Donald Trump was unanimously elected chairman of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees. Among the new board members is also Usha Vance, Vice President JD Vance’s wife. Board members are appointed to six-year terms.
Donald Trump spoke out after the appointment. On his Truth Social account a statement read:
“President Donald J. Trump was just unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The President stated, ‘It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!’”
Shonda Rhimes And Issa Rae Flee From Kennedy Center After Donald Trump’s ‘Unanimous’ Takeover
Since Donald Trump’s “unanimous” takeover as chairman of the Kennedy Center Board, tons of Hollywood stars have fled. Shonda Rhimes, television writer and producer of hits like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ’Scandal,’ has resigned from the Kennedy Center board. Taking to Instagram, she quoted former President John F. Kennedy, saying ”If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
Fellow TV writer and producer Issa Rae also took to Instagram and in a Story post she announced the canceling of her upcoming sold-out event at the Kennedy Center. She wrote:
“Hey D.C. Fam, Thank you so much for selling out the Kennedy Center for “An Evening With [Me]”. Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue. All tickets will be refunded. Thank you so much for understanding and I hope to see you soon. Love, Issa.”
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