US President Donald Trump visited John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, where he toured and chaired a meeting of his board of directors.
It was his first time at the Institution of the Marquee Arts since he started to do it again at the start of his second term in office.
Trump dismissed the previous Kennedy Center council, writing on social networks that they “do not share our vision of a golden age in the arts and culture”. He replaced them with loyalists, notably the chief of staff of the White House, Susie Wiles, the Attorney General Pam Bondi and Usha Vance, the wife of Vice-President JD Vance, and settled as president.
The allies of the Republican president complained that the Kennedy Center, known for his annual celebration of notable American artists, had become too liberal and “awake” with his programming.
Addressing journalists before the meeting of the board of directors on Monday, Trump complained of a “huge dilapidation”, saying that the center “represents a very important part of DC and in fact our country”.
He expressed his dissatisfaction with the recent expansion of the complex, known as “The Reach”, which presents studios, rehearsal spaces and meeting facilities, suggesting that it would move to close the spaces because they lack windows.
Trump also discussed plans to “improve the Kennedy Center and its next artistic program.
“We are going to have very good shows,” he said, adding: “What is good are Broadway’s successes.”
Several artists and productions, including Broadway Smash Hamiltonfell from performance to Kennedy Center to protest against Trump’s takeover.
“I have never been a big fan, I never liked Hamilton Many, “said Trump in response.
Trump also complained about staging costs at the center, saying that musician Lee Greenwood wanted to perform on Monday at the first meeting of the board of directors he chaired, but that he would cost $ 30,000 to “move a piano”.
The Kennedy Center, which is on the banks of the Potomac river, opened its doors in 1971 and has benefited from bipartite support over the years.
However, Trump has a difficult relationship with her, dating from her first mandate as president. He jumped the annual honors ceremony each year.
