Donald Trump Appoints Ric Grenell as Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center, Pledges to End “Anti-American Propaganda”

Trump has announced that former U.S. ambassador and Trump administration official Ric Grenell will serve as the Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center. In a post on social media, Trump made it clear that Grenell’s appointment is part of a broader effort to reshape the institution’s direction, vowing to eliminate what he referred to as “anti-American propaganda” and “drag shows.”

Who is Ric Grenell?

Ric Grenell is a longtime political figure known for his strong conservative views and close ties to Trump. He previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Germany from 2018 to 2020 and briefly held the position of Acting Director of National Intelligence, making him the first openly gay person to hold a cabinet-level position in a U.S. presidential administration. Grenell has been a vocal advocate for Trump’s policies, particularly in foreign affairs and national security.

His background, however, has been primarily in politics and international diplomacy, not the arts. His appointment to lead The Kennedy Center—a national institution for the performing arts—raises questions about the future of its programming and funding.

Trump’s Vision for the Arts

Trump’s post suggests that under Grenell’s leadership, The Kennedy Center will undergo significant changes. His emphasis on a “GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture” and the exclusion of what he calls “anti-American propaganda” indicates a shift toward more traditional, conservative programming. 

With The Kennedy Center being a federally funded institution, the coming months will reveal just how much influence Grenell will wield and whether Trump’s vision for American arts takes center stage.