Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center is a pretty dramatic and unprecedented move. After taking office, he fired the center’s president, replaced the board of trustees, and named himself chairman of the organization ¹ ². This shake-up has led to some significant changes, including the appointment of Richard Grenell, Trump’s former ambassador to Germany, as the center’s interim president ².
Trump has also added some new faces to the board, including Fox News host Laura Ingraham and Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo ³. These moves have been met with criticism from some, including the creator of the musical “Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda, who canceled the show’s run at the center in response to Trump’s overhaul ⁴.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s actions have been seen as a politicization of the Kennedy Center, which has traditionally been a non-partisan institution ⁴. The center is known for its signature Kennedy Center Honors performances and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center has been a contentious issue, with many criticizing his actions as politicizing an institution that’s supposed to be bipartisan and focused on promoting the arts ¹.
As for whether Trump will still be in charge of the Kennedy Center when he’s no longer president, it’s unclear. However, his current changes to the institution’s board and leadership structure suggest that he’s trying to cement his influence over the center ².
The law creating the Kennedy Center doesn’t prohibit a president from replacing board members, but historically, the institution has remained above politics ³. Trump’s overhaul of the board and his appointment of loyalists, including Second Lady Usha Vance and country singer Lee Greenwood, have raised concerns about the center’s future ³.
Some artists have already canceled their engagements with the Kennedy Center in response to Trump’s actions, including the musical “Hamilton” and folk musician Rhiannon Giddens ⁴. Others, like TV producer Shonda Rhimes, have resigned from their positions at the center ³.
It’s worth noting that Trump’s changes to the Kennedy Center are part of a broader effort to reshape the institution in his image and promote his own vision for the arts ⁵. Whether he’ll still be in charge of the center when he’s no longer president remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his actions have already had a significant impact on the institution and its mission.
Typically, board members at institutions like the Kennedy Center are appointed or elected through a process that involves stakeholders, including existing board members, donors, and community leaders.
While it’s true that wealthy individuals or influential groups can exert significant influence over these processes, it’s unusual for a president to unilaterally replace board members or appoint themselves as chairman.
The Kennedy Center’s board of trustees typically includes a mix of presidential appointees, congressional appointees, and members appointed by the center’s executive committee. The board’s bylaws and the legislation establishing the center provide some guidance on the process for appointing and removing board members.
In this case, Trump’s actions have raised concerns about the politicization of the Kennedy Center and the potential for undue influence over the institution’s leadership and programming.
I always here let’s dwell on something else The National Trust
The concern is that former President Trump’s actions, like taking sensitive documents to the White House and storing them in his basement bathroom, may indicate a disregard for preserving historical records and national treasures, such as the Declaration of Independence.
Several safeguards are in place to protect these documents:
– *Federal Law*: The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is governed by federal law, ensuring the preservation and protection of historical records and documents ¹.
– *Independent Agency*: NARA operates independently, helping to safeguard against political interference.
– *Preservation Efforts*: The National Archives has robust preservation programs to protect historical documents from damage, deterioration, or destruction.
Additionally, the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C. has strict security measures to prevent unauthorized access or damage to the documents housed there, including the Declaration of Independence.
Val Whitewolf 