[Updated -See last page]
The Kennedy Center's full name is:
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
It has long been one the US's major soft power institutions. Unfortunately, Donald Dumb, the illiterate ignorant convicted criminal has appointed himself Chairman of the Kennedy Center in a coup against the Center's Board. Imagine an idiot pretending to lead one of the United States' leading cultural institution around the world.
He will in all likelihood turn it into his own narcissistic personality cult by re-naming it "The Trump Center for the Con Arts".
But Americans are fighting back:
Stars flee Kennedy Center Groups after Trump Seizes Chair
https://www.yahoo.com/news/stars-flee-kennedy-center-groups-003444033.html
Meanwhile:
Actors Equity Condemns Trump-Run Kennedy Center for Canceling Children’s Musical ‘Finn’: ‘Beyond Appalling’
Jacob Bryant
Fri, February 14, 2025
The dumb, senile, ignorant and criminal idiot in the White House
The Actors’ Equity Association is “outraged” and “disturbed” over The Kennedy Center’s choice to cancel the upcoming tour of “Finn.”
“Finn” is a coming-of-age story about a shark that with dreams of following in the family footsteps by joining the Shark Guard. The underwater musical explores themes of self-discovery and friendship and appeared at the Kennedy Center in November and December 2024. Now, the national tour of the children’s musical is off.
“We are outraged at the news that The Kennedy Center has canceled the upcoming tour of ‘Finn’, a musical for young audiences that just concluded an acclaimed run at the theatre,” the statement read. “Since its founding, the Kennedy Center has represented the full breadth of American culture; It is disturbing to see the new leadership of this institution move so swiftly to suppress viewpoints they do not agree with. And it is beyond appalling that the art they find so dangerous is a joyful children’s musical encouraging young people to be true to themselves and follow their dreams.”
The statement continued, “Actors’ Equity Association stands with the company of this production and is watching developments carefully. The union intends to fully enforce our contracts with The Kennedy Center. Equity reminds its members that if they experience any difficulty with their contracts at the Kennedy Center, they should reach out to their business reps immediately.”
News of the canceled tour comes only a day after President Donald Trump was “unanimously” elected as chairman of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The move came after sitting president Deborah F. Rutter was fired from her post.
Since Trump’s installment of himself as chairman, a number of prominent resignations were announced. The first was singer-songwriter Ben Folds who resigned as artistic advisor of the center’s National Symphony Orchestra. Shortly after, Shonda Rhimes resigned from her post as an officer on the board, where she served as treasurer. Rhimes was appointed to the position by President Barack Obama.
Issa Rae also announced today that she was cancelling her upcoming spotlight event at the Kennedy Center citing recent events as placing “an infringement on” its artistic values.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” Rae wrote on her Instagram stories.
The post Actors Equity Condemns Trump-Run Kennedy Center for Canceling Children’s Musical ‘Finn’: ‘Beyond Appalling’ appeared first on TheWrap.
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[Update]:
Cancellations, resignations follow Trump's move to reshape the Kennedy Center
With President Trump in charge, the Kennedy Center is facing a crisis as artists like Issa Rae and Low Cut Connie, along with key board members, are walking away.
Following through on a pledge made earlier this month, President Trump ousted 18 members of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ board, replacing them with a Trump-aligned majority that on Wednesday appointed him chairman “effective immediately.”
The fallout from the changes has been swift, with prominent artists opting to cancel performances and some board members resigning in protest.
Philadelphia-based rock and soul band Low Cut Connie announced Thursday it was canceling a scheduled March 19 performance.
“I was very excited to perform as part of this wonderful institution’s Social Impact series, which emphasizes community, joy, justice and equity through the arts,” band founder Adam Weiner wrote on Instagram. “Upon learning that this institution that has run non-partisan for 54 years is now chaired by President Trump himself and his regime, I decided I will not perform there.”
Similarly, Issa Rae canceled her sold-out show, An Evening With Issa Rae, at the venue after hearing about Trump’s new role.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” she wrote on Instagram.
Musician Ben Folds, a longtime artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, resigned his post immediately following Trump’s installation as chairman. He was soon joined by RenĂ©e Fleming, the world-renowned soprano who had served as an artistic adviser at large at the center.
“I’ve treasured the bipartisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best,” Fleming said in a statement. “I hope the Kennedy Center continues to flourish and serve the passionate and diverse audience in our nation’s capital and across the country.”
Shonda Rhimes, the producer behind the television hits Grey’s Anatomy and Bridgerton, had served as treasurer of the Kennedy Center’s board after being appointed by President Barack Obama. She resigned within hours of Trump’s takeover.
How Trump took over the Kennedy Center
In early February, Trump announced on Truth Social his plan to “immediately terminate” board members appointed by President Joe Biden, saying they “do not share” his vision. He then replaced them with a roster of White House officials, administration insiders and wealthy donors. On Wednesday, the new board appointed him chairman.
“It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees,” Trump responded in a statement. “We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
Trump’s new Kennedy Center board members include [his immediate entourage of sycophants]:
Usha Vance, second lady of the United States
Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff
Cheri Summerall, Wiles’s mother
Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff for national security
Sergio Gor, White House director of presidential personnel
Allison Lutnick, wife of commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick
Pamela Gross, former White House adviser to the first lady
Patricia Duggan, major Trump donor
Emily May Fanjul, wife of sugar magnate and Trump donor Pepe Fanjul
Dana Blumberg, wife of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft
Mindy Levine, wife of New York Yankees president Randy Levine
Perhaps the most dramatic move was Trump’s appointment of Richard Grenell, his former ambassador to Germany and former acting director of national intelligence, as interim president of the Kennedy Center — ousting long-serving Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter months before her planned departure.
The Kennedy Center board has historically been evenly divided between Republican and Democratic appointees, according to the New York Times. Board members typically serve six-year terms, and it is unusual for an incoming president to dismiss appointees en masse.
Trump’s allies are likely to reshape the Kennedy Center’s programming to align with the president’s values, steering away from what he views as “woke culture,” sources told CBS News. Already, the Kennedy Center has removed an LGBTQ Pride concert scheduled for May from its website.
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