Trump Taps Matt Floca as New Kennedy Center CEO After Grenell Departure

Floca to oversee planned $2 billion renovation of the Trump Kennedy Center

Mar. 13, 2026 at 9:33pm

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President Donald Trump has appointed Matt Floca as the new Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Kennedy Center, replacing Richard Grenell who is departing the role. Floca, who previously served as the Kennedy Center's Vice President of Operations, will now lead a planned $2 billion renovation of the arts center, which Trump has vowed to transform into "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!"

Why it matters

The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of the arts and culture in the nation's capital, but Trump's efforts to overhaul the institution have been met with significant public backlash. The appointment of Floca, a Trump loyalist, signals the president's continued push to reshape the center according to his own vision, raising concerns about the future independence and artistic integrity of the renowned performing arts venue.

The details

Floca, who has managed the Kennedy Center's facilities operations, will formally receive the COO and Executive Director role after a board meeting scheduled for Monday at the White House. His appointment comes after the departure of Richard Grenell, whose tenure marked a major turning point for the Kennedy Center as Trump tried to overhaul the arts center during his second term, aiming to oust "woke culture" and bring a greater focus on the cultural aspects of the nation's capital.

  • Trump announced Floca's appointment on March 13, 2026.
  • Grenell's departure from the Kennedy Center CEO role is effective immediately.
  • A $2 billion renovation of the "Trump Kennedy Center" is scheduled to begin after the July 4th celebration, with a grand re-opening planned in approximately two years.

The players

Matt Floca

Floca has been appointed as the new Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Kennedy Center, replacing Richard Grenell. He previously served as the Kennedy Center's Vice President of Operations.

Richard Grenell

Grenell has departed his role as Kennedy Center CEO after overseeing a major transition period under the Trump administration's efforts to overhaul the arts center.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has appointed Floca to lead the Kennedy Center and oversee a planned $2 billion renovation of the facility, which he has vowed to transform into "the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!"

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What they’re saying

“I am pleased to announce that Matt Floca, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, will be named the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER where, as Vice President of Operations, Matt has helped us achieve tremendous progress in bringing the Center to the highest level of Excellence!”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)

“Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)

“THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will be, at its completion, the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social)

What’s next

The Kennedy Center's Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on Monday at the White House to formally approve Floca's appointment as the new COO and Executive Director. The $2 billion renovation of the "Trump Kennedy Center" is set to begin after the July 4th celebration, with a grand re-opening planned in approximately two years.

The takeaway

Trump's appointment of a loyal ally to lead the Kennedy Center signals his continued efforts to reshape the iconic arts institution according to his own vision, despite significant public backlash. The planned $2 billion renovation and renaming of the center raise concerns about the future independence and artistic integrity of the renowned performing arts venue under the Trump administration's control.