Kennedy Center Refuses To Obey in Advance Over Trump’s Post
President said that he would make himself chairman of the performing arts venue
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the national cultural center of the United States, is not ready to bow to Donald Trump over one of Trump’s spew of social media posts.
Trump announced an aggressive plan Friday evening to gut the existing board of trustees at the Kennedy Center and oust its chairman — billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein — and install himself as chairman.
The Kennedy Center, which operates at its iconic location in Washington DC, responded to Trump’s threats with a statement, saying that leadership was not just going to allow Trump’s moves.
A a memorial to President John F Kennedy since opening in 1971, the Kennedy Center plays host to some of the biggest cultural and arts events in the nation. It is particularly known for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognizes five artists or groups annually for their lifetime contributions to American culture and the performing arts, including dance, music, theater, opera, film, and television.
The Kennedy Center Honors event often is televised and has been historically hosted by the president of the United States himself.
The new statement issued by the center made clear that it tries to skirt politics but just the same isn’t jumping yet to implement Trump’s bizarre plans.
“Since our doors opened in1971, we have had a collaborative relationship with every presidential administration. Since that time, the Kennedy Center has had a bi-partisan board of trustees that has supported the arts in a non-partisan fashion,” the statement said.
The Kennedy Center made clear that it would make Trump at least go through the motions before bending to his will.
“The Kennedy Center is aware of the post made recently by POTUS on social media. We have received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees,” the statement said. “We are aware that some members of our board have received termination notices from the administration.
“Per the Center’s governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the Center’s board members. There is nothing in the Center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board.”
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