Kennedy Center Issues Response To ‘Fake News’ WaPo Report About Subscription Sales Falling

The Kennedy Center has issued a response to the “fake news” article which was published in The Washington Post on Tuesday asserting that subscriptions dropped dramatically compared to the previous year.

“Your comparison isn’t accurate because of several factors,” the statement from Kim Cooper, Senior Vice President of Marketing, began. “We strategically launched later this year vs. last year. Our renewal campaign is just kicking off and our hard-copy season brochures have not yet hit homes.”

The statement goes on to explain how patrons often wait for the hard copy brochures to arrive before renewing.

“Also, earlier this year, and for the first time ever in Kennedy Center history, we launched a brand new option that lets subscribers mix and match genres within a single subscription,” Cooper continued. “It is a highly requested feature we’re proud to deliver as part of our commitment to giving people more choice and flexibility. It also expands our ability to reach new audiences.”

Here’s our response to the fake news: pic.twitter.com/3DSfTByY9C

— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) June 3, 2025

The statement teased upcoming announcements and new genres that will have a “strong appeal” to audiences of all ages.

This response came after the Post article claimed subscriptions were down $1.6 million, or 36%, compared to the year before. The anonymous staffer blamed the drop on “mismanagement by the new leadership.”

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President Trump made waves earlier this year when he promised to reform the Kennedy Center, which began when he replaced its board and was elected chairman. Trump also tapped Special Envoy Richard Grenell to serve as the Center’s president.

“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote in February. “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.”

Ever since, the Center has been pivoting to family friendly content, which has been successful thus far. Most recently, they sold out two showings of the bible-based film “The King of Kings.” It fits in with the Center’s new leadership being focused on offering high-quality entertainment that’s free from radical progressive messaging.

And so far it’s been successful. The Center broke their all-time attendance record in March of this year when 11,000 visitors showed up to see the EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky fireworks show, as The Daily Wire previously reported. A majority of those attending were visiting the venue for the first time ever.