On Wednesday, Donald Trump made an exciting appearance at the Kennedy Center, where he introduced the upcoming winners of its prestigious honors and confirmed he will take the reins as host for the awards show set for December.
His visit to this iconic space came as part of Trump’s efforts to exert more influence over Washington, DC, a city governed by Democrats, striving to leave his unmistakable mark on its cultural scene. Earlier this year, he took control of the center’s board and revealed intentions for a comprehensive revamp of both the venue and its programming.
“We ended the woke political programming, and we’re restoring the Kennedy Center as the premier venue for performing arts anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world,” remarked Trump, unveiling grand plans for the center.
Taking personal engagement to a new level, Trump revealed that he played a significant role in selecting the forthcoming honorees, stating he was “98% involved” in the decision-making process. The list includes renowned figures like vocalist George Strait, actors Michael Crawford and Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, and the legendary band KISS.
Although Trump claimed he didn’t seek to be part of the award presentations, he clearly showcased his excitement about once again being on the screen after his days as host of the reality show The Apprentice.
“I think it will be quite successful. It’s been a long time. I used to host the ‘Apprentice’ finales, and we did rather well with that,” he added.
This is Trump’s third visit to the Kennedy Center since regaining the presidency, signifying his keen interest in its artistic pursuits.
In a move that underscored his commitment to cultural institutions, Trump prompted congressional Republicans to allocate $250 million for much-needed renovations at the center through their tax and spending plan unveiled in July. According to him, the center required significant repairs when he took over its operations.
“I’m determined to make Washington, DC, safe, clean, and beautiful again. A big part of that is going to include the Kennedy Center,” he asserted.
In addition to overseeing the iconic arts center, Trump has pushed for changes in how national history is portrayed at DC’s museums, aiming for a narrative that he believes honors America’s achievements. In a recent executive order, he criticized what he labeled a “revisionist movement” that undermines these accomplishments, leading to the White House’s recent order for a review of the Smithsonian institutions to better align with his vision.
Trump’s agenda has even expanded into major renovations of the White House and, more unusually, he federalized the police force in response to his frustrations over crime and homelessness in the capital.
In contrast to his largely disengaged stance during his first term, Trump’s renewed focus on DC’s cultural scene comes with the intent to reshape it according to his personal ideals, particularly in light of the changing political landscape and criticism of ‘woke’ influences.
The Kennedy Center is at the forefront of this effort, drawing it into the thick of national cultural debates.
This February, Trump dismissed numerous appointed trustees tied to the Democratic party, opting to replace them with trusted aides, including Susie Wiles as chief of staff. Following this shake-up, he took on the chairmanship with veteran confidant Ric Grenell becoming the center’s new president.
This takeover sparked strong backlash from Democrats and frustration among artists, evident when the producer of the hit musical Hamilton canceled a show run scheduled through 2026. Additionally, notable artists like director Shonda Rhimes and musician Ben Folds opted to resign from their positions at the center.
Yet it hasn’t deterred Trump from tightening his grip on programming and future plans. He previously mentioned scrutinizing potential honorees, dismissing some as too “woke” for recognition.
Trump acknowledged there might be public backlash for infusing politics into the honors but suggested that such controversy could potentially boost the ratings of the awards show “if we make it our kind of political.”
Moreover, the Kennedy Center announced this week that it will host the premiere of a film from the Christian Broadcasting Network, showcasing the youth’s revitalized faith in America, reflecting the upcoming changes under the Trump-aligned leadership.
This event follows earlier showings of Les Misérables, Trump’s favorite, which saw mixed reactions, including protests from drag queens against Trump’s previous remarks regarding the center’s programming.
For Republicans, the Kennedy Center remains a significant symbol of allegiance to Trump. Recently, House Republicans attempted to pass a spending directive to rename the opera house after Melania Trump.
Additionally, Rep. Bob Onder from Missouri proposed the Make Entertainment Great Again Act, which would go so far as removing former President John F. Kennedy’s name to rename the center in honor of Donald Trump himself.
Yet, despite the effort, strong momentum forOnder’s proposal hasn’t materialized, with no co-sponsors as of yet.
The above details have been updated to reflect recent developments.
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