Former President Donald Trump has made significant changes to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts since taking office, igniting both support and dissent among attendees. On the opening night of the acclaimed musical Les Misérables, Trump’s presence elicited a mix of boos, cheers, and chants, highlighting the polarized atmosphere surrounding his recent actions.
And even less than a month into his presidency, Trump seized the opportunity by appointing himself chairman of the Kennedy Center. This decision signaled the beginning of a rapid turnaround for the institution. He even tossed peremptorily all of the Biden-era appointees. Beyond removing his namesake, he fired Deborah F. Rutter, the long-serving president, to remake the center in his own image. Trump’s most recent resolution, however, would provide him broad new authority to control which programs are selected. This move further consolidates his influence over the center’s artistic direction.
In perhaps the most controversial appointment, Trump named his longtime loyalist, former ambassador Richard Grenell, as the new director of the Kennedy Center. This decision has been seen as part of a wider strategy to put allies in key positions within the organization to serve his caprices. As a result, a large number of productions have pulled their performances at the center. This goes for Hamilton, too, which mentioned its own issues with the “political climate” created by Trump’s presidency.
Trump’s attendance at Les Misérables drew significant attention, leading to sold-out shows and the cancellation of events, such as Issa Rae’s one-woman show. As climate representatives took the stage and the performance began, the atmosphere became electric as 10 to 12 performers from the main cast/ensemble opted out of the performance. They made this move intentionally to demonstrate against Trump’s presence.
The response from the audience was mixed. Though many attendees left excited, there were those who left unhappy. Vice President J.D. Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, faced loud boos while attending a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center. His current policies and practices are already raising the ruckus. In response, a multitude of artists and patrons are distancing themselves from the institution, resulting in decreased attendance at galas, concerts, and other programming.
Notable soprano Renée Fleming recently relinquished her position as Artistic Advisor at Large. She announced this move, she said, “out of respect” for everyone who was fired under Trump’s administration. This resignation reflects the deep divisions within the artistic community regarding Trump’s leadership and its implications for the Kennedy Center’s future.
Amidst this chaos, Trump was making history himself while schmoozing with supporters outside the Les Misérables performance, marching some attendees through Trump-themed chants. His remarks during this event displayed his characteristic defiance towards critics, stating, “I couldn’t care less, all I do is run the country well.”
Through the Kennedy Center, Trump’s cultural influence extends much farther and is happening much more quickly. It will be interesting to see how these changes shift the center’s programming and reputation in the arts community.
