Trump Ally Ric Grenell Resigns as Kennedy Center President

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Richard Grenell, a longtime Republican foreign policy adviser who served as president of the Kennedy Center, will step down from the role. Grenell's tenure oversaw significant changes at the iconic performing arts venue that prompted many artists to boycott the center.

Why it matters

Grenell's appointment as Kennedy Center president was controversial given his partisan political background, and his programming changes during his tenure led to a backlash from the arts community who felt the center was moving away from its traditional mission.

The details

As president of the Kennedy Center, Grenell implemented a number of changes that were seen as politically motivated, including programming that some artists viewed as biased or out-of-step with the center's history. This led to boycotts and protests from performers who refused to appear at Kennedy Center events.

• Grenell was appointed as Kennedy Center president in January 2025.
• Grenell will step down from the role in March 2026.

What’s next

The Kennedy Center's board of directors will appoint an interim president to lead the organization until a permanent replacement for Grenell can be found.