Acclaimed producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes has stepped down as treasurer of the Kennedy Center in Washington following Donald Trump's takeover of its board.
On Wednesday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had
been "unanimously" elected chairman of the U.S. national centre for
performing arts. "It is a Great Honour to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center,
especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center
a very special and exciting place!" he wrote.
His leadership began with the removal of several board
members appointed by former President Joe Biden, along with long-time Kennedy
Center president Deborah F. Rutter.
In response, Rhimes, known for Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and
The Princess Diaries 2, confirmed her resignation. She shared a screenshot of
the news on Instagram, quoting John F. Kennedy: “If art is to nourish the roots
of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever
it takes him.”
Soprano Renée Fleming and singer-songwriter Ben Folds also
resigned from their advisory roles.
On Monday, Trump appointed special missions envoy Richard
Grenell as interim executive director of the Kennedy Center. In the
announcement, the President criticised the centre's current slate of
programming, saying:
"Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts
and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center. NO MORE
DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA - ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO
SHOW BUSINESS!"
The Kennedy Center's website is currently down due to "scheduled maintenance".
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