Upcoming at Trump’s Kennedy Center: Celebration of Christ

Trump Administration Plans Major Changes to the Kennedy Center’s Programming

In a significant shift for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, recently taken over by President Donald Trump, plans are underway to transform the institution’s programming. Just a week into his administration’s management, Richard Grenell, the newly appointed president of the Kennedy Center and a staunch supporter of Trump, has revealed ambitious plans that include a major celebration of Christmas centered on the birth of Christ.

During the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Grenell disclosed that the Kennedy Center would host a “big, huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas.” He explained that this decision marks a departure from the past, stating, "How crazy is it to think that we’re going to celebrate Christ at Christmas with a big traditional production, to celebrate what we are all celebrating in the world during Christmastime, which is the birth of Christ?" His comments signal a clear intent to prioritize traditional Christian themes in the programming at the Kennedy Center, which has historically embraced a more inclusive approach to holiday celebrations.

Traditionally, the Kennedy Center has held various Christmas-themed events, such as "A Candlelight Christmas" by the Washington Chorus, "A Family Christmas," performed by the Choral Arts Society of Washington, and the Christmas concert "Go Tell It" featuring the Alfred Street Baptist Church, a respected Black church in Virginia. However, the new leadership’s stance has led to some controversy, with the Alfred Street Baptist Church announcing that they would cancel their Christmas concert. The church cited a growing concern that the new direction of the Kennedy Center stands in contrast to its longstanding tradition of honoring diverse artistic expressions.

Grenell’s comments mark his first public insights into the Kennedy Center as its leader, following Mr. Trump’s controversial purge of the center’s board, which included the removal of current and previous Biden appointees. Trump’s decisive actions to consolidate his influence over the Kennedy Center—an institution historically regarded as bipartisan—have sent ripples throughout the cultural community.

The newly installed board swiftly dismissed Deborah F. Rutter, who had served as president for over a decade, and appointed Grenell to the position. Grenell, who previously served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany, has already indicated his discontent with Rutter’s management, suggesting that her high salary and purported mismanagement had left the center in poor financial condition. Public tax records reveal that Rutter’s compensation for the fiscal year ending September 2023 was approximately $1.4 million.

When pressed about his own salary in the new role, Grenell downplayed concerns, promising that he would make "way way way less" than Rutter. However, the financial health of the Kennedy Center remains a point of contention, as it relies heavily on federal funding; the center’s annual budget totals around $268 million, with only about $43 million coming from federal sources, primarily for operations and maintenance.

During the conference, Grenell stressed that the use of public funds necessitates public input regarding programming. He reaffirmed the center’s new direction by stating that the cancellation of a May concert featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., was a decision made prior to his and Trump’s control. When asked about the potential return of the Gay Men’s Chorus, Grenell skirted the issue, asserting that the center needed to prove it could attract revenue-generating events, given its financial constraints.

The changes initiated by Grenell have already led to the withdrawal of several prominent artists and advisors from the Kennedy Center, with personalities like Issa Rae canceling their engagements and notable figures such as singer and composer Ben Folds and soprano Renée Fleming resigning from their advisory roles. Nonetheless, Grenell remains optimistic about the Kennedy Center’s future, asserting that there is no shortage of big-name artists excited to collaborate with the institution.

Describing himself as an aficionado of various art styles, Grenell relayed his vision for the Kennedy Center, vowing to "make art great again." He even suggested that his ideal performance would feature the beloved American icon, Dolly Parton, underscoring a preference for popular forms of entertainment rooted in established cultural traditions.

With Trump’s administration at the helm, the Kennedy Center faces an uncertain future. The proposed changes reflect a clear ideological shift, reinforcing an emphasis on traditional values while challenging the institution’s historical commitment to artistic inclusivity. As programming evolves, all eyes will be on how these changes impact the center’s reputation and its relationship with the wider artistic community.