Trump Names Himself Kennedy Center Board Chairman, Vows to End Drag Shows and Fire Board Members

President Trump announced on Truth Social that he is firing members of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and appointing himself as chairman. He declared he would dictate programming, specifically stating that drag shows 'WILL STOP' and promising to make the Kennedy Center 'GREAT AGAIN.' Trump indicated plans to terminate multiple board members, including current chairman David Rubenstein, claiming they do not align with his vision. The Kennedy Center responded that while some board members received termination notices, it had received no official White House communication. The center noted that its board chair is appointed by board members according to the Kennedy Center Act (Public Law 85-874, 1958), not by presidential decree. This represents an attempt to override congressional statute governing an independent cultural institution and specifically targets LGBTQ+ artistic expression.

"Drag shows at the Kennedy Center WILL STOP, and we will make the Kennedy Center GREAT AGAIN!" — Trump's Truth Social announcement declaring his intention to control Kennedy Center programming and terminate board members