President Trump said Wednesday that he was “unanimously” elected to be the chairman of the Kennedy Center.
“It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
The Kennedy Center said in a statement Wednesday that there were 14 new board members, including such other administration figures as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino and second lady Usha Vance.
The other new names include Allison Lutnick, Lynda Lomangino, Mindy Levine, Pamela Gross, John Falconetti, Cheri Summerall, Sergio Gor, Emilia May Fanjul, Patricia Duggan and Dana Blumberg.
Mr. Trump’s new position comes after he said in a Truth Social post last week that he was terminating some members of the board, including chairman David M. Rubenstein, because they “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”
He said he was making himself the new chairman, and would announce a new board.
SEE ALSO: Trump names Grenell as interim head of Kennedy Center
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — This will stop. The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation,” he wrote in a post laced with all-capital-letter words. “For the Kennedy Center, The best is yet to come!”
On Monday, he announced Richard Grenell will serve as the interim executive director of the center.
“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” he said in a Truth Social post, adding in all caps, “No more drag shows, or other anti-American propaganda — only the best. Ric, welcome to show business!”
After Mr. Trump’s initial announcement, the Kennedy Center said in a statement it was aware of Mr. Trump’s Truth Social post, but had not received any official communications from the White House. It also noted that some board members had received termination notices from the Trump administration.
“Throughout our history, the Kennedy Center has enjoyed strong support from members of Congress and their staffs — Republicans, Democrats and independents. Since our doors opened in 1971, we have had a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration. Since that time, the Kennedy Center has had a bipartisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a nonpartisan fashion,” the statement said.
“While we are a living memorial to President Kennedy, we are also a unique public-private partnership. The center is supported by federal annual appropriations for the upkeep and maintenance of the building as a federal memorial, or approximately 16% of the total operating budget. Support for the center’s artistic programming comes from ticket sales, donations, rental income, and other revenue sources.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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