President Donald Trump has taken control of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Northwest, D.C, placing the historic institution under his direct authority; and in response, some Black artists and organizations are canceling performances to protest the decision.
At a Kennedy Center Board meeting on Feb. 12, Trump was elected chairman, replacing financier and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.
“It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees,” Trump posted on social media. “We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
The board also terminated Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter and appointed former Trump administration official Richard Grenell as interim executive director.
The Kennedy Center, which had long maintained a bipartisan board, is now entirely controlled by Trump and his allies. Before he became chairman, the administration removed 18 board members who President Joe Biden had appointed, and the new board includes Susie Wiles, Dan Scavino, Usha Vance—wife of Vice President JD Vance—and other close Trump associates.
The move has drawn immediate backlash from African American artists and organizations.
Actress and producer Issa Rae also announced she would no longer host the March 16 event, “An Evening with Issa Rae,” at the Kennedy Center.
“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,” the actress and creator of “Insecure,” wrote in a post.
Further, with the announcement of Trump as chairman, Alfred Street Baptist Church in Northwest, D.C., which hosts its annual Christmas performance at the Kennedy Center, announced on Sunday, Feb. 16 that it too would end its relationship with the national arts venue.
“We believe that the new leadership’s opposition to the Kennedy Center’s long-standing tradition of honoring artistic expression across all backgrounds is misaligned with our unwavering commission to proclaim and practice the transformative and redemptive love of Jesus, to pursue justice, to promote equality, to embrace the gift of diversity, and to care for all of creation,” the church declared in a statement.