Donald Trump said Friday that he would be removing multiple people from the board of trustees for The Kennedy Center and appointed himself as chairman.
Board members at The Kennedy Center include presidential appointees and leaders across government serving as ex-officio trustees Politico reports.
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump claims the center featured “drag shows” which were “specifically targeting” young people.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote. “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,” he continued. “For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who trump said he ‘immediately terminated’ has served as board chairman since 2010. He was appointed to the Kennedy Center board by former President George W. Bush.
Rubenstein had announced his intention to step down from the board of trustees in January 2025, but remained in the position until September 2026 since the search for his replacement took longer than expected, according to a statement posted on the center’s website.
It is unclear who else Trump will remove from the board, but he is likely to target Democrats including Former President Joe Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, among others his predecessor named to the board during his term.
