The Kennedy Center launched massive fundraising efforts in support of the national performing arts center after trimming the development staff and introducing new programming.
Richard Grenell issued a lengthy statement Friday on X, updating the organization’s financial efforts.
“We are excited to announce a record-breaking 30 days of donor and sponsor support at the Kennedy Center,” he said. “In addition to having a balanced budget for the *first* time in decades, we have also raised $58 million in the last 30 days alone – with more on the horizon.”
We are excited to announce a record-breaking 30 days of donor and sponsor support at the Kennedy Center.
In addition to having a balanced budget for the *first* time in decades, we have also raised $58 million in the last 30 days alone – with more on the horizon.
We are…
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) October 31, 2025
Grenell noted that the center already raised in 30 days more than half of what a previously march larger staff had done in an entire year.
The Trump-directed historic venue is on the upswing, and Grenell took a moment to recognize those that contributed to the improvement efforts.
“We are grateful for the incredible response from individuals, corporations and new Lounge Sponsors,” he wrote.
“Changing the programming to commonsense and popular shows, cutting unneeded staff and being financially responsible has proven to be a life-saver for the Kennedy Center,” Grenell added.
Grenell tossed the credit back to Donald Trump, noting that he “deserves credit for being a visionary for how struggling Arts Institutions across the U.S. can survive.”
“President Trump instinctively knew that Live entertainment needed a re-boot to reject the elites and offer the public what they were asking,” Grenell said.
He called out fake news, saying, “The @nytimesstory 3 weeks ago highlighting how Broadway is dying and the crisis that Arts Institutions everywhere are facing with dwindling ticket sales should have been a wake up call to the elites running Arts Institutions- but it wasn’t.”
“When I arrived at the @kencenin February, we had 93 people in the Development Department – an embarrassing bloated group failing to convince donors to support the Kennedy Center. Today, we now have 17 people in Development who in 30 days raised more than half the money that 93 people did in one whole year.”
Grenell boasted their achievements, saying, “Every show we have had since February when President Trump took over the leadership of the Kennedy Center has either made money or broke even (a huge change to what was happening) – we haven’t lost money on any show thanks to patrons and show donors.”
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 03: The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts building is seen on June 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. According to sales data, subscription sales for the Kennedy Center have fallen 36 percent from the previous year. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
He concluded the post by writing, “The Kennedy Center is showing Arts Institutions how to thrive” (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Kennedy Center Dance Day Thrives Despite Leftist Dancers’ Refusal to Perform)
Trump issued a statement Friday updating the recent construction and renovation in the facility, saying, “The exterior columns, which were in serious danger of corrosion if something weren’t done, are completed, and look magnificent in White Enamel — Like a different place!”
“Marble is being done, stages are being renovated, new seats, new chairs, and new fabrics will soon be installed, and magnificent high end carpeting throughout the building.”
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