Reconstituted board elects the President as chairman and terminates the Kennedy Center's president

Personnel action

Date
Actor
Kennedy Center Board of Trustees (as reconstituted)
Type
Personnel action
Section
SUPPLEMENT: THE KENNEDY CENTER TAKEOVER IS ABSENT FROM THE CULTURAL-INSTITUTIONS RECORD, THOUGH THE SMITHSONIAN, NEA, NEH, IMLS, AND NPS ACTIONS ARE ALL COVERED

Summary

The newly seated board elects President Trump chairman of the Kennedy Center — the first time a sitting President has held the post — and votes to terminate the contract of Deborah F. Rutter, the Center's president since 2014, effective immediately, installing Grenell in her place. Board treasurer Shonda Rhimes resigned the same day; Ben Folds resigned as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, and soprano Renée Fleming resigned as artistic advisor. The Center issued a press release confirming the election.

Status

In effect. Rutter has publicly disputed the administration's characterizations of her management. The board's authority over institutional identity was subsequently curtailed by court order (see 2026-05-29).

As recorded in the data of . Check the sources for anything newer.

Related litigation

Sources