Kari Lake, the Director of the U.S. Agency for Global Media, shared with Breitbart News that President Donald Trump has made the Kennedy Center more accessible to all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, enriching their experience with art.
In an interview on the red carpet before the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, Lake was asked if she believed the left had politicized the Center during the previous administration, or if Trump was indeed working to neutralize that politicization.
“He’s depoliticizing it,” she stated. “The great thing about the Kennedy Center now is that it welcomes everyone. Whether you’re a liberal Democrat or a conservative Republican, you can enjoy a show that doesn’t push a woke agenda. It used to be dominated by themes of LGBTQ, trans+, DEI. You’d sit down to enjoy something, only to realize within minutes that an agenda was being imposed on you, and many would just think, ‘I don’t want any part of this.’”
Lake pointed out that President Trump, who also chairs the Kennedy Center board, recognizes that Americans prefer their artistic experiences free from political influence.
“He understands that when people spend their hard-earned money on art, they’re just looking for entertainment. They want to leave any politics behind and sit alongside those who might not share their views. It’s all about enjoying the performance. I can’t think of anyone better suited to lead this effort—this wasn’t a political move; it was essential for saving this magnificent place.”
“The Kennedy Center is a gem but was in dire condition,” she emphasized. “Funding had been mismanaged, possibly on a criminal level, and this will likely come under scrutiny. Thanks to Ambassador Rick Grenell’s leadership, they’ve raised more funds than ever before. Just days after Trump got involved, this place has seen its beauty restored. Even if you don’t support Trump—which, honestly, many do—you have to admit he’s the right person to ensure this building not only gets repaired but also looks good.
As reported by Fox News, the Kennedy Center has gathered $23 million in donations for this year’s honorees, more than double what it achieved last year during Joe Biden’s presidency. When asked by Breitbart News if this substantial increase was tied to the depoliticization efforts, Lake responded,
“Absolutely. This influx is from people who hadn’t previously donated to the arts. Now, they see that the Kennedy Center welcomes everyone. It’s not just about woke art anymore,” she explained. “No matter your political background, please come. Honestly, I don’t mind if you’re a Democrat or a Republican. If you love America, then I love you.”
