“Grey's Anatomy” creator Shondalimus and singer-songwriter Benfold are the first to flee at the Kennedy Center after President Trump set up himself as board chair and began cleaning the house is.
Shondaland CEO, 55, resigned as board treasurer Wednesday shortly after Trump was elected head of the principal of DC's iconic John F. Kennedy Center, and she confirmed in a post Instagram.
Folds also announced that he will be resigning from his role as an artistic advisor to the position he has served in, National Symphony Orchestra, since he was appointed in 2017.
“Considering the development at the Kennedy Center, I am effectively resigning today as an artistic advisor to the NSO,” Ben said, 58, 58, 58, 58. Posted on social media.
“It's not for me,” he added. “Most of the time, I miss the musicians of our country's symphony orchestra more than anything else. It's the best.”
Grammy-winning opera legend Rene Fleming has announced his resignation from his role as an artistic advisor as a whole.
“We cherished the bipartisan support for this institution as our best American beacon,” said the 65-year-old soprano. said in a statement. “We hope that the Kennedy Center continues to thrive and serve a passionate, diverse audience in our country's capital and across the nation.”
Trump said Wednesday that he decided to settle Kennedy Center council members “not sharing a vision for the golden age of arts and culture,” and set up himself as chairman.
“We'll be announcing a new board meeting soon. Great Chairman, Donald J. Trump!” he posted on Truth Social on Wednesday night.
Trump has criticised Washington institutions for hosting children who have previously “targeted” drug shows.
Earlier in the week, Trump told reporters he wanted to see the center run “appropriately.”
“There's no need to wake up at Kennedy Center. Some of the shows were terrible. They were even dishonorable that they were dressed up,” he said. “So I'll be there until it runs right.”
His administration officially removed 18 board members, including chairman of David M. Reubenstein, a close ally of former President Joe Biden. According to Entertainment Weekly.
14 new Kennedy Center board members were announced Wednesday.
He was elected chairman by the newly created board.
Deborah F. Lutter, the agency's third president since 2014, was also fired. She had previously announced plans to resign at the end of 2025.
Trump's former German ambassador, Richard Grenell, has been appointed interim president. Grenell, the envoy of the special president of Trump's special mission, became the first openly gay to serve a cabinet-level position when Trump appointed him as acting director of national intelligence in 2020.
