Shonda Rhimes leaves the room just as President Donald Trump is entering.
On Wednesday, February 12, a spokesman for the television executive, who is 55 years old, announced that the creator of Grey’s Anatomy had resigned from her position as treasurer of the Kennedy Center.
The decision was made not long after Trump, who is 78 years old, was chosen by the board of directors to serve as head of the arts organization, as reported by the New York Times. Rhimes was one of the officials that former President Barack Obama named to the board of trustees on behalf of the organization.
The New York Times also stated that Deb Rutter, the President of the Kennedy Center, was terminated from her post, and Richard Grenell was assigned to the role of temporary president. Additionally, Trump replaced David M. Rubenstein, the previous head of the organization.
Not only Rhimes, who is best known for crafting blockbuster series such as Scandal and Bridgerton, has announced their departure from the board, but other board members have also done so.
Ben Folds provided more confirmation earlier today that he will be leaving from his position as musical consultant to the National Symphony Orchestra. A few hours later, Renée Fleming followed suit and said that she intended to step down from her position as artistic advisor at large.
As a result of the situation at the Kennedy Center, I am resigning from my position as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra starting today. Certainly not for me,” Folds stated in a statement that was uploaded on Instagram. “It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, and the entire NSO staff, encouraging thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate symphonic music.”
The singer, composer, and producer who has won many platinum awards came to the conclusion that “mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra — just the best!”
On Friday, February 7, Trump made public his intention to have Rubenstein and other members of the board of trustees replaced. His announcement was made on the social media network known as Truth Social.
In his letter, he said, “I have made the decision to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Also included in this decision was the Chairman. We will shortly be announcing a new Board, and we will be announcing that Donald J. Trump will serve as the Chairman!
In his statement, the President said that the decision was made because of “drag shows specifically targeting our youth” that were held at the Kennedy Center the previous year. He went on to say that “THIS WILL STOP.”
On February 8, the Kennedy Center said that they “received no official communications from the White House.” This was their response to the allegations.
“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,” the official announcement said. “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.”
