President Donald Trump named conservative firebrand Richard Grenell as the Interim Executive Director of the Kennedy Center as part of his takeover of the facility.
Trump broadcast his decision to tap Grenell in a Feb. 10 post shared on Truth Social.
“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” Trump wrote. He went on to boast his new plans for the facility by writing, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 06: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the National Prayer Breakfast sponsored by the The Fellowship Foundation at the Washington Hilton on February 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. The National Prayer Breakfast brings together members of Congress and leaders in fellowship and business for prayer and discussion. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Grenell was Trump’s ambassador to Germany during the first Trump administration. He also held the posts of acting director of national intelligence and special envoy between Serbia and Kosovo. The foreign policy advisor was tapped by the president as his Presidential Envoy for Special Missions in December.
This was the latest development in a series of moves designed to strengthen Trump’s grip on the performing arts center. The president declared his intention to take over the facility Feb. 7 on Truth Social. He said he would be leading the Kennedy Center board as chairman and purged multiple board members appointed by former President Joe Biden. Those ousted included former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and former senior advisor Mike Donilon, according to The New York Times. Their names now appear on the website under the category Emeritus Trustees, an honorary title given to former trustees.
Trump denounced the “anti-American propaganda” previously pushed at the Kennedy Center and said he intended to ensure future performances are more aligned with his vision.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 17: Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote Feb. 7 on Truth Social.
“The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!” (RELATED: Kennedy Center Apparently Scrubs Pages For Most Egregious Left-Wing Content After Trump Threatens Takeover)
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts seems to have deleted left-wing content from their website soon after Trump accelerated his takeover of the facility, but has not replied to Daily Caller to provide comment on the reason for the deletion of information pertaining to past events.
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