United States President, Donald Trump, on Friday, announced an aggressive plan to oust the billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein as the Chairman and fired other existing board of trustees at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC.
The President, in a post to Truth Social on Friday, said Rubenstein does not share his vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.
Trump said he would be appointing himself as chairman of the board.
However, current board members appointed by Trump include Lee Greenwood, Paolo Zampolli, and Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. 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,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”
While Trump has continued to make headlines for aggressive use of executive authority since taking office last month, this effort has been described as retribution aimed at political enemies.
The current board chairman, Rubenstein, is an ally of former President Joe Biden.
According to CNN, Trump’s announcement also dove directly into the culture wars as he called out the center’s programming.
Trump continued, “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. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center’s president, Deborah Rutter, had last week announced plans to step down at the end of the year. The board had started a search for her replacement and retained a headhunter. Choosing her successor, it appears, will fall to the president.
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