In order to take control of the cultural organization in Washington, D.C., President Trump reportedly announced on Friday that he would terminate the tenure of some board members of the Kennedy Center and appoint himself as the chair of a new board.
“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. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!” Trump noted on his Truth Social account.
He said that his actions are a part of an attempt to restore the Kennedy Center, which is situated along the Potomac River in northwest Washington and is named after former President John F. Kennedy, to its former glory.
The billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, a former policy adviser to former President Carter and co-founder of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group, is currently the chair of the Kennedy Center board of trustees.
Rubenstein is also connected to former President Biden, who spent Thanksgiving last year at his home on Nantucket.
Rubenstein praised Biden, who was in the audience, for being “gracious hosts” and coming to the performance for four years at the annual Kennedy Center Honors in December.
Trump defied convention during his first term in office by refusing to attend the Honors ceremony after receiving criticism from a number of the award’s winners.
Rubenstein had a remote interview with Trump supporter Elon Musk earlier Friday at a JPMorgan investment conference.
Businessman Anthony Welters is the vice chair of the board, and Deborah Rutter is the president, though she stated last month that she would be leaving later this year.
The board, which is now made up of Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump-affiliated lobbyist Brian Ballard, and Trump-supporting artist Lee Greenwood, is appointed by presidents.
Other members include familiar faces from the Biden era, such as Democratic strategist Stephanie Cutter, longtime Biden adviser Mike Donilon, and former White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Additionally, Congress appoints ex-officio members, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the moment and, upon confirmation, the secretaries of the Education Department and Health and Human Services.
On the Kennedy Center’s website, first lady Melania Trump is listed among former first ladies Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, and Hillary Clinton as honorary chairs of the board.
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