Shonda Rhimes and Issa Rae have both made moves to dissociate from The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as President Trump takes over. According to CBS News, Issa Rae canceled her sold-out event set for the Washington, D.C., venue next month.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” the Insecure actress wrote in an Instagram post, confirming all who purchased tickets for the event would be refunded.
Shonda Rhimes speaks onstage during the BAFTA Honours Shonda Rhimes Presented By Netflix, Delta Air Lines, And Virgin Atlantic at the Midnight Theatre & Hidden Leaf Restaurant on May 03, 2023 in New York City.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for BAFTA
While Shonda Rhimes did not have any upcoming events, she stepped down from her role with the center. As reported by Deadline, the acclaimed producer resigned from the board with Trump as chair. She was appointed to the board by former President Barack Obama and served as one of its officers.
“Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center,” a spokesperson explained to the outlet on Wednesday (Feb. 12).
The outlet also noted Ben Folds announced that he was resigning as artistic adviser of the National Symphony Orchestra, and Renée Fleming shared that she was exiting as artistic adviser at large. Per NPR, the rock band Low Cut Connie also pulled out of a scheduled performance.
U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters from the Resolute Desk after signing an executive order to appoint the deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration in the Oval Office at the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
The resignations and cancelations come after Trump purged the Kennedy Center board, removing every board member appointed by President Joe Biden according to The Washington Post. POTUS announced plans last week to remove the chairman and board of trustees and install himself as chairman. While Trump was voted by the new board of trustees to assume the role, they also voted to terminate Deborah Rutter from her role as president.
New members of the board include Second Lady Usha Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Wiles’ mother Cheri Summerall, Elaine Chao, a former U.S. Secretary of Labor and the wife of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, and The wives of New England Patriots CEO Robert Kraft and New York Yankees President Randy Levine.
“It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees,” exclaimed Trump, per The Hill. “We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
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