Former President Donald Trump declared his intention to overhaul the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., vowing to end performances featuring drag artists. Trump announced on his social media platform that he would be terminating multiple board members, including the chairman, who he claims do not share his vision for the arts and culture. Drag artists condemned the move as censorship, while the Kennedy Center stated they have not received any official communications regarding changes to the board.
President Donald Trump waves after arriving on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. at one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions, specifically declaring that he would end events featuring performers in drag.across Washington during the first weeks of his second term, trying to shutter federal agencies, freeze spending and ending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across the government.
The statement continued: “Per the Center’s governance established by Congress in 1958, the chair of the board of trustees is appointed by the Center’s board members. There is nothing in the Center’s statute that would prevent a new administration from replacing board members; however, this would be the first time such action has been taken with the Kennedy Center’s board.”
“This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America’s stage,” said Blaq Dinamyte, president of Qommittee, a national network of drag artists and allies. “Banning an entire art form is censorship, plain and simple. Americans don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be able to speak our minds and perform our art without bans, retaliation, or intimidation.
According to its website, the center in July hosted a preshow titled “A Drag Salute to Divas” and a November “Drag Brunch.”
TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER DRAG SHOWS CENSORSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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