Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes And More Artists Cut Ties With Kennedy Center After Trump Installs Himself As Chairman – Forbes
Source: Forbes
Artists including actress and writer Issa Rae and television producer Shonda Rhimes have cut ties with the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump took over as chairman Wednesday, days after he announced a plan to terminate the organization’s board.
Issa Rae canceled a planned Kennedy Center show. (Scott Kirkland/Disney via Getty Images)ISSA RAE
Rae announced on her Instagram Story she canceled a sold-out show at the Kennedy Center because of what she called an “infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds.”
Rhimes, the creator behind shows including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” resigned from her post on the organization’s board and posted a quote from President John F. Kennedy on her Instagram: “If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”
Musician Ben Folds resigned as an artistic advisor to the Kennedy Center, stating in a Facebook post the recent “developments” are “not for me.”
Low Cut Connie, a Philadelphia-based rock band, announced on Instagram they would no longer play at the Kennedy Center, criticizing Trump for his self-appointment and for replacing the board, and stating the band stands for “diversity, inclusion and truth-telling.”
Singer Renée Fleming also resigned from her position as artistic advisor, thanking the organization’s previous chairman David Rubenstein in a statement, while praising the “bipartisan support for this institution,” without naming Trump.
Canadian mystery novel author Louise Penny said in a Facebook post she would no longer launch her book, “The Black Wolf,” at the Kennedy Center, stating: “In the wake of Trump taking over, I have pulled out. It was, of course, going to be a career highlight. But there are things far more important than that.”
The creators of “Finn,” a musical for children, said in an Instagram post Thursday the Kennedy Center had informed them a day prior their musical tour at the center had been canceled. The creators slammed “this administration’s desire to silence us” and said they would “not abandon the kids we wrote this show for. They are already under attack from every side.” The Kennedy Center, however, said the cancellation was a “purely financial decision.” According to a description on the Kennedy Center’s website, “Finn” is about a “young shark who just wants to be his true self,” who “loves sparkles and bright colors despite being a shark.” In their Instagram post, the “Finn” creators said the show has a “universal message of love and acceptance,” adding: “The fact that that extends to sparkly boys seems to be controversial.” The creators have previously said the musical can be read as reflecting the LGBTQ experience, though there is nothing in the show explicitly about the LGBTQ community.
In a Truth Social post last week, Trump declared he would “make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN” by terminating the Board of Trustees and installing himself as chairman. Trump claimed the center had hosted “Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth.” The center reportedly hosted a “Dragtastic Dress-Up” event last year marketed at LGBTQ youth. Drag shows have been a frequent target by Republicans, who have often falsely claimed these events sexualize children. Trump was installed as the chairman Wednesday, and he fired the organization’s president, Deborah F. Rutter. Richard Grenell, who served as Trump’s ambassador to Germany during his first term, was named interim president. Trump also removed all of former President Joe Biden’s appointees to the Kennedy Center board, which is now made up entirely of Trump appointees, including Second Lady Usha Vance and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. As chairman, Trump has veto power over the board’s decisions.
The Kennedy Center is the United States’ national cultural center located in Washington, D.C., which hosts various live performances to millions of annual visitors, including theater, dance and music. The center was designated by former President Lyndon B. Johnson as a memorial to Kennedy shortly after his assassination.
Trump Takes Over Kennedy Center In War On ‘Woke’ Programming—Here’s What To Know (Forbes)
One Community. Many Voices. Create a free account to share your thoughts.
Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas and facts in a safe space.
In order to do so, please follow the posting rules in our site’s Terms of Service. We’ve summarized some of those key rules below. Simply put, keep it civil.
Your post will be rejected if we notice that it seems to contain:
User accounts will be blocked if we notice or believe that users are engaged in:
Thanks for reading our community guidelines. Please read the full list of posting rules found in our site’s Terms of Service.
Read more: Click here