President Donald Trump has called on loyalist Ric Grenell to lead the Kennedy Center days after firing its board and naming himself as chairman.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which has become a pillar in American culture, has an uncertain fate under interim executive director Grenell. In Trump’s announcement naming the foreign adviser, who is openly gay, to his new post the president promised no more drag shows or “anti-American propaganda.”
“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” he wrote on Truth Social on Monday. “ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”
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Grenell held multiple intelligence and diplomatic positions during Trump’s first term and currently serves as a “special missions” envoy after reportedly angling for secretary of state and being passed over. It is unclear if he has any experience working in the performing arts field, but Trump claimed he has “some experience in that world.”
On Monday, Grenell posted a video of himself to X overseeing the boarding of Venezuelan migrants on a deportation flight.
“Two planes of illegal immigrants left El Paso today headed to Venezuela - paid for by the Venezuelans,” he wrote. “Thank you, @realDonaldTrump.”
On Sunday, Trump said he was taking over the Kennedy Center as chairman because of its “terrible” shows, calling some a “disgrace that they’re even put on.” He then said he had not attended any of them. In his first four years as president, he also never attended the Kennedy Center Honors.
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