President Trump's rise to the election against the chairman of the Kennedy Center on Wednesday led to multiple departures from the Washington, D.C. agency.
Last week, Trump announced that he would replace several members of the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and name the chair. On Wednesday, the new board elected Trump as chairman of the board.
Musician Ben Fold almost at the same time that Trump announced his chairmanship. He said he would resign He was “given to develop at the Kennedy Center” as an artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra.
“It's been an incredible eight years,” the former Ben folded five singers who wrote on Instagram on Wednesday, and he and the staff at the Kennedy Center “encouraged thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate the symphony.” He said.
Award-winning opera singer and actress Rene Fleming said she will move away from her role as an artistic advisor to the Kennedy Center.
She praised David Rubenstein, whom Trump replaced as chairman, and said his leadership was “just one of many ways he contributed to America's cultural and historical heritage.” He is the best patriot I know. ”
Fleming also praised Deborah Lutter, and the board fired him as president of the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, “a tireless, creative leader and successful expansion of the National Center for the Arts in a fantastic way.” He said.
“They were both inspiration for me, and I think I'm right to leave, out of respect,” Fleming continued. “I have cherished partisan support for this institution as our best American beacon. The Kennedy Center has thrived with a passionate, diverse audience in our nation's capital and across the nation, and We hope we continue to provide our services.”
Famous TV writer and producer Shonda Rhimes also reportedly resigned from the board after serving as treasurer for the Kennedy Center.
“As of today, please advise Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the Kennedy Center board,” a spokesman for Rhimes told Deadline.
Oka reached out to her representative for comment.
Trump said Wednesday that it was a “great honor” to chair the Kennedy Center's board of trustees and on social media, “We plan to make the Kenny Center a very special and exciting place!”
White House officials told Hill that the president attended the board meeting Wednesday to elect him.
The Kennedy Center confirmed Trump's election as chairman of the board in a news release Wednesday, saying other leadership changes were “effectively and quickly.”
“The board has also announced Richard Grenell as president of the interim Kennedy Center,” the statement said in the statement.
New members of the board include “God The Usa” singer and avid Trump supporter Lee Greenwood, White House Susie Wills chief Second Lady Usha Vance and senior adviser Dan Scabino. Includes:
