Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds resign from Kennedy Center after Donald Trump becomes chairman
Screenwriter Shonda Rhimes and singer-songwriter Ben Folds have resigned from their positions at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump was elected chair of the board.
The board at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts held a vote on February 12th to confirm and announce Trump’s involvement. After the voting process, he explained his gratitude on Truth Social, calling it a “great honor” to be elected among an “amazing Board of Trustees,” promising to “make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!”
This sparked a backlash among some of its team members, including Shondaland CEO and Grey’s Anatomy and How To Get Away With Murder alum Shonda Rhimes, who then stepped down from her position as treasurer to the board.
Singer-songwriter Ben Folds also resigned from his eight-year stint as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, claiming via an Instagram post that the recent “developments” with Trump were “not for me”. Rhimes has not yet commented on her move.
Folds also described the last eight years as “wonderful”, saying, “It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center president Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO staff, encouraging thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate the symphonic music.”
He concluded: “Mostly, and above all, I’ll miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra – just the best!” Singer Renée Fleming also stepped down as artistic adviser, describing her time at the Center as a “privilege”.
This week, Trump commented on their diverse programming, describing it as “woke” and taking issue with some recent performers who put on a show in drag. “We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center,” he said, per the Independent. “Some of the shows were terrible, a disgrace that they were even put on.”
Since his election, figures across all industries have spoken against his policies and initiatives, calling for greater equality and battling for justice for oppressed and marginalised groups. Following his recent pledge to make “two sexes” official, several figures came forward with gestures to support people from the transgender community, including Lucy Dacus, who donated $10,000 to help those requiring surgery to transition.
At this year’s Grammy Awards, Lady Gaga utilised her ‘Best Pop Duo/Group Performance’ win to draw attention to similar issues: “And I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible,” she said. “Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
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