WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump visited the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on March 17, 2025, marking his first official visit since taking control of the prestigious institution. The visit managed to reassert his influence over the arts as he chaired the newly restructured board meeting.
During his remarks, Trump did not hold back, declaring the center to be "in tremendous disrepair," and linking these conditions to broader management issues within the country. "It's in tremendous disrepair, as is a lot of the rest of our country, most of it because of bad management," he told reporters post-tour.
The President’s visit followed his dramatic overhaul of the Kennedy Center’s leadership, where he ousted prior board members and installed loyalists, including prominent political figures and cultural personalities such as his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and singer Lee Greenwood. He appointed Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany, as the interim president, reinforcing his control over the arts institution.
Criticism flowed as Trump pointed to what he saw as poorly conceived expansions at the center. He expressed discontent over the structure and the recently built sections, which he claimed lack windows, stating, "We’re going to have to close some of these spaces because nobody's going to use them. They spent a fortune on these underground rooms, and they’re just not functional." This commentary drew attention to the expansive $250 million renovations made just two years prior.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump also noted dissatisfaction with the Kennedy Center’s programming, labeling it "woke" and stating, "We took over the Kennedy Center. We didn’t like what they were showing." Several artists and theatrical productions announced they would no longer perform at the center due to these changes, with 'Hamilton' being one notable casualty of the fallout. Trump’s disdain for the popular musical was clear as he quipped, "I never liked 'Hamilton' very much," reflecting on its cancelation.
On the other side of the political spectrum, the Kennedy Center's longtime bipartisan support has come under scrutiny. Following the leadership changes, major artists like Issa Rae and others have canceled performances, leading to spirited discussions about the center's future focus. Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated, "He hopes to restore arts and culture, embracing American traditions and not disparaging them, as we have unfortunately seen over the past several years."
The meeting Trump led also sought to reshape future Kennedy Center Honors, with plans to introduce new oversight and diverse nominations for honorees. He was quoted saying, "We’ll go slightly more conservative, if you don’t mind, with some of the people," indicating his intention to steer the program away from what he considers politically charged choices.
Before the meeting, portraits of Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance were hung within the Hall of Nations, pushing forward his administration's imprints onto the cultural landmark. This traditional presidential recognition of the arts has evolved since Trump's tenure, as previous presidents have normally refrained from mingling personal influences onto the center's legacy.
At the meeting's conclusion, Trump expressed optimism about the Kennedy Center's future, assuring attendees with his trademark exuberance, "We are going to have some really good shows. It’s very important to make sure our country is well represented. You will see over time it will improve very greatly physically." He expressed ambitions of working along with Congress to actualize necessary changes and attract engaging performances moving forward.
Recent events have already displayed the shifting environment at the Kennedy Center. Andy Goldsworthy, who was among the lineup of performers during the prior artistic regime, remarked, "The recent purge by the Trump Administration of both professional staff and performing arts events at or originally produced by the Kennedy Center flies in the face of everything this national cultural center stands for."
Protests at the center have also been reported, with bombardments of jeers directed toward Vice President Vance and his wife during their attendance at the National Symphony Orchestra just days prior. Such incidents have underscored the backlash against the newly aligned administration.
Trump's emphasis on real estate mentality, deeming himself as the center's architect for the future, signals possible aggressive alterations for both management and programming. He underlined intentions for Broadway productions like 'Les Misérables' to flourish under his regime, designated for summer 2025. Whether this pivot resonates well amid the discontent remains to be seen.
With Trump at the helm, the Kennedy Center is embarking on uncharted waters, merging traditional artistic expression with newfound political ideology. The broader arts community watches anxiously as this cultural centerpiece navigates its next chapter under Trumplandia.
The time will tell if Trump's endeavored transformation can either salvage or compromise the Kennedy Center's esteemed legacy.
