President Donald Trump has appointed foreign policy adviser and loyalist Richard Grenell as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. This move comes shortly after Trump appointed himself as the chair, further solidifying his influence over this renowned American cultural institution.
Trump expressed his confidence in Grenell by stating, “Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” on his social media platform Truth Social.
Richard Grenell's Background and Roles
Grenell served in various capacities during Trump’s initial term, including ambassador to Germany, acting director of national intelligence, and special envoy for dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo.
Although Grenell was not selected for the position of secretary of State, he was appointed as the president’s envoy for “special missions” with a somewhat ambiguous portfolio.
Trump's Unprecedented Intervention
Last week, Trump announced his decision to remove the board of trustees of the D.C.-based theater and cultural institution, which comprised several Democrats and appointees of former President Joe Biden. Subsequently, he assumed the role of chairman, marking an unprecedented intervention in the history of the center.
The Kennedy Center, named in honor of former President John F. Kennedy, hosts numerous events annually and serves as the home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
Trump's Stance on the Kennedy Center
During his first term, Trump diverged from tradition by not attending the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony after facing criticism from some of the honorees. He also criticized the center for hosting drag shows, signaling his disapproval of such events.
However, Trump now envisions a different path for the prestigious institution, pledging to exclude events like drag shows and any perceived anti-American propaganda. He emphasized, “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST,” indicating a shift in programming.
Addressing Grenell, Trump welcomed him to the realm of show business, highlighting the new direction he intends to steer the Kennedy Center towards.
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