President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he had terminated most members of the Board of Trustees at the Kennedy Center — including Chairman David Rubenstein — and had taken over the role himself.
Trump made the announcement in a post to his social media platform Truth Social, and added that he also planned to make immediate changes to some of the events that were held there — beginning with drag shows that were intended for an audience of children.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 7, 2025
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. , GREAT AGAIN,” Trump began. “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,” the president’s post continued, and he then pivoted to give some insight as to why he had made the call to change the center’s direction.
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP,” he said, adding, “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across out Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
News broke around the same time that, in another similar post to Truth Social, Trump had revoked former President Joe Biden’s security clearance. Citing Biden’s obviously deteriorating mental acuity, Trump mentioned the report compiled by Special Counsel Robert Hur — in which Biden was described as forgetful at best.
“The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump’s statement read in part.
