President Donald Trump is making significant moves to increase his influence over the Kennedy Center's honors program, which has traditionally operated without White House interference since its founding. Scheduled to speak before the Kennedy Center board on March 17, 2025, Trump aims to propose changes to the honors advisory committee, seeking to solidify his control over the selection process for honorees. This meeting occurs against the backdrop of controversies surrounding the center's programming and his recent appointment as its chairman.
The Kennedy Center has been synonymous with honoring artistic achievement since 1978. Historically, it has celebrated figures such as Lucille Ball, Dolly Parton, and Clint Eastwood at its annual galas, broadcasted on national television. These ceremonies have remained politically neutral, reflecting broad cultural diversity and artistic excellence. Now, under Trump’s leadership, the aim appears to shift toward greater direct oversight.
After installing himself as chairman, Trump has reshaped the board by replacing Biden-era appointees with his own loyalists. The current board is set to vote on whether to adopt a resolution giving the chairman the authority to appoint committee members responsible for selecting the honorees—essentially allowing Trump to dictate who merits recognition.
The proposed changes, which were previously unreported, suggest a departure from previous practices where committee members were selected through recommendations from past honorees and the broader arts community. A copy of the resolution outlines: “Members of the committee responsible for selecting honorees 'shall be appointed by the chairman of the board, andshall serve at the pleasure of the chairman.'” This would give Trump significant power not just to select honorees but also to remove committee members at will.
Notably, Trump's actions have raised eyebrows as they coincide with discontent voiced by some members of the artistic community. Since entering his second term, Trump has aimed to redefine what the Kennedy Center stands for, rejecting what he terms “woke” influences, drag shows, and “anti-American propaganda.”
These changes come after the tumultuous reception of Vice President JD Vance, who was booed during a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra on March 13, 2025, illustrating the growing fissures between the Trump administration and some factions of the arts community.
“Donald Trump is committed to putting the Kennedy Center on a solid financial foundation by having programming appealing to everyone, not just a few,” said Richard Grenell, the center’s president. This highlighted Trump's objective to broaden the appeal of the center's programming.
Yet, artists have expressed their dissent against Trump’s leadership at the center. High-profile personalities, including actress Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens, have canceled scheduled performances out of protest, signaling the disapproval of the current direction the Kennedy Center is heading under Trump's administration. Even major productions, such as the musical “Hamilton,” have scrapped planned engagements at the center, showcasing significant backlash from the artistic community.
Trump's history with the Kennedy Center’s honors program is marked by controversy. After receiving criticism from honorees during his first term, he famously broke tradition and boycotted the gala for the entirety of his presidency. He is now returning to reclaim this platform, grappling with the need to repair the center’s reputation amid administrative upheavals.
During his first term, Trump clashed with artists who spoke out against him, resulting in boycotts and calls for change within the traditional structure of the honors program. With his new aggressive approach, the dynamics at the Kennedy Center could shift dramatically, transforming who is recognized for their contributions to the arts.
Looking forward, Trump's leadership promises significant developments for the Kennedy Center. The discussions at the upcoming board meeting will set the stage for how the honors program will evolve under his guidance. This is especially pertinent as the center prepares for what Trump has called “a big, huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas,” possibly indicating the types of festivities and values he seeks to promote.
Through these recent actions, Trump is aiming to create his “Golden Age in Arts and Culture” at the Kennedy Center, responding, he claims, to concerns surrounding the “financial situation” the institution faces. By installing close allies like his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, and media figures like Laura Ingraham and Dan Scavino on the board, Trump is ensuring loyalty and directed governance at the center.
Meanwhile, the contrasting opinions from artists who wish to maintain the Kennedy Center’s original mission of broad inclusivity pose challenges for the administration's plans. Observing how these ideological conflicts play out could shape the future of American arts and influence cultural policy moving forward.
With the board meeting now just days away, all eyes are on the Kennedy Center to see if Trump’s ambitions to reshape the honors program will be approved. Will the artists' voices still resonate, or will this be seen as yet another appropriation of cultural and artistic values for political ends? The answer is yet to come, but for now, the Kennedy Center stands at a crossroads.