US President Donald Trump attended a performance of a musical at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday night, marking his first appearance at the theater since he took over as chairman and installed Richard Grenell as president. The event was held despite widespread criticism from Democrats and some Hollywood stars who felt that Trump’s decision to take over as chairman undermined artistic freedom and autonomy. Many also questioned whether he had legal authority to do so under federal law.
Richard Grenell’s Appointment
Grenell, who previously served as US ambassador to Germany during Trump’s presidency, has been criticized for his lack of experience in arts management. He joined Fox News Channel after leaving government service in January last year. The White House declined to comment on why Grenell was chosen for the role or how much he would be paid. It also did not say if there were any other candidates considered for the job or if anyone else might replace him eventually.
Trump’s Remarks
At Washington’s Kennedy Center ahead of curtain time, Trump told reporters:
"All I do is run this country well."
He referred to recent economic data that showed record trade deficits due largely to high levels of imports into America amid low exports abroad. When asked about reports that protesters had gathered outside demanding an end to his tenure atop one of America’s most prestigious cultural institutions, Trump replied:
"I couldn’t care less honestly – I couldn’t."
He also disputed reports that subscriptions were declining at the center by 36 percent:
"That’s a lie. They’re trying to undermine us because they don’t want us there."
Trump emphasized his commitment to improving the Kennedy Center:
"This is a great production tonight. We’re going to save the Kennedy Center; we’re going to make it better. We raised a lot tonight."
Concerns Over Artistic Freedom
Trump has been involved in various business ventures throughout his career but has no known experience with arts management. His takeover of the center has raised concerns among artists and critics who fear it will compromise artistic freedom and autonomy.
The John F. Kennedy Center Act requires its board members to be appointed by Congress based on their expertise in various fields, including education, labor relations, finance, and marketing—none directly related to the arts or performing arts management. Grenell’s background is primarily in public relations and media relations, having worked as a Fox News Channel analyst since January 2021 after leaving government service. He served as US ambassador to Germany from April 2018 until July 2020 during Trump’s presidency.
In an interview with The Associated Press earlier this month, Grenell said he had no experience with performing arts but was "passionate about the Kennedy Center" and would be "a good steward of this organization." He also acknowledged that he had not yet met with any artists at the center or reviewed its budget.
Protests Against Trump’s Leadership
A group of protesters gathered outside Washington’s Kennedy Center to demand an end to Trump’s leadership at one of America’s most prestigious cultural institutions. The group held signs that read "Fire Richard Grenell" and "Don’t Let Him Burn Down Our Culture."
Protest organizers expressed concerns about Trump’s impact on the arts world and his lack of experience in managing an organization like the Kennedy Center. They believed Trump has undermined trust in the center by installing someone without a background in performing arts management.
"We are here because we are concerned about what Donald Trump is doing to our culture," said Sarah Schulz, a former actress who organized the rally. "We believe it should be led by people who know how to take care of the talents of America."
Schulz also expressed support for artists demonstrating against Trump’s leadership at the center:
"We are standing with them because we want to protect their freedom to be able to be honest and effective artists; that’s what matters most in humanity."
The rally was peaceful, and police officers were present but did not intervene. In an interview before the rally, Schulz described her feelings about Trump’s decision to take the helm of the Kennedy Center:
"It’s got me very angry because I think it hurts the world when you put somebody in your position who doesn’t know how to do anything related to that field. It’s just wrong."
Cultural Events and Political Responses
The rally came amid ongoing efforts to revive interest in the musical "The Music Man," which opened Wednesday night at Washington’s National Theatre. The performance featured actor Hugh Jackman alongside Benjamin Cohn, Mary Kate Wiles, Benjamin Pugh, and Taylor Trensch.
Among those attending the reporters’ gathering inside the National Theatre was White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Jean-Pierre followed up on questions asked by reporters on Tuesday regarding whether President Joe Biden planned to speak out against Trump’s future actions on the drama unfolding in Washington D.C. In response, Jean-Pierre declined to comment when asked if she supports Biden planning to speak out against Trump over serving as the chairperson of the John F. Kennedy Center.
Jean-Pierre stated that she would need more information before making a comment. She added that Biden has made clear his disagreement with many things Donald Trump has done over the years.
Jean-Pierre also addressed a question regarding whether there are ongoing talks between White House officials and members from the Democratic Party regarding potential legislation aimed specifically at tackling Donald Trump’s business dealings while he is in office. She explained that there are specific talks and negotiations going on between Democrats and some Republicans regarding legislation aimed at tackling business dealings while he is in office. However, she could not confirm if any talks were ongoing over time between White House officials and members from the Democratic Party.
Jean-Pierre added that President Joe Biden will continue to push forward on a series of federal investigations into former President Donald Trump, including those related to disclosure requirements around foreign lobbyists working on after-hours bills introduced by Congress. She explained that such investigations would allow lawmakers and Americans overall to more fully understand the nature of solicitation processes used by presidents and tricky campaign fundraising rules.
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