U.S. President Donald Trump visited John F. Kennedy’s Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, where he toured and chaired a board meeting.
This is the Marquee Arts Institution he started re-made at the beginning of his second semester.
Trump fired the Kennedy Center’s previous board and wrote on social media that they “don’t share our vision for the golden age of arts and culture.” He replaced them with loyalists, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Vice President JD Vance’s wife Usha Vance, and served as chairman.
The Republican president’s allies complain that the Kennedy Center is known for its annual celebrations of famous American artists, whose show is too free and “wake up.”
Trump complained about “a huge disrepair” when he spoke to reporters ahead of Monday’s board meeting, saying the center “represents Washington, D.C. and is actually an important part of our country.”
He expressed his grievances at the expansion of the recent complex, known as “coverage”, which includes studios, rehearsal spaces and conference facilities, which suggests he would move to close the space due to the lack of windows.
Trump also discussed plans for the Kennedy Center and its upcoming arts program.
“We’re going to have some really good performances, and that’s something about Broadway hits,” he said.
Several artists and works, including Broadway smash Hamiltonexit the Kennedy Center performance in protest of Trump’s takeover.
“I’ve never been a loyal fan, I never like it Hamilton Trump responded.
Trump also complained about the center’s installment fees, saying musician Lee Greenwood wanted to perform at the first board meeting he chaired, but would cost $30,000 to “mobile piano.”
Located on the banks of the Potomac River, the Kennedy Center opened in 1971 and has been bipartisan for many years.
But Trump has a tough relationship with it, dating back to his first term as president. He skips the annual honor ceremony every year.
