Trump Appointee Calls for Jailing Kennedy Center Staffers

Former Kennedy Center boss Rick Grenell claims the venue was a 'financial and structural mess' until Trump stepped in.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 12:18am

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Ousted Kennedy Center president Rick Grenell has called for people to be jailed for not properly maintaining the performing arts institution, declaring the venue was falling apart until former President Donald Trump intervened. Grenell, a Trump appointee, made the comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Texas, backing Trump's decision to shut down the center for a two-year renovation.

Why it matters

Grenell's comments reflect the Trump administration's combative approach toward federal institutions and agencies, with the former president frequently criticizing and seeking to overhaul long-standing government organizations. The Kennedy Center, a storied cultural institution, became a target of Trump's ire, leading to a major leadership shakeup and renovation plan.

The details

In his CPAC speech, Grenell alleged the Kennedy Center was plagued by issues like leaky roofs, flooding parking garages, and malfunctioning fountains. He claimed the center was not properly maintaining its facilities despite receiving federal funding. Grenell, who was ousted as Kennedy Center president, praised Trump for intervening and deciding the venue needed a major overhaul, even joking the new Biden-appointed facilities chief would be fired if he didn't carry out Trump's explicit renovation plans.

  • In December 2025, Trump renamed the Kennedy Center the 'Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts'.
  • Earlier in March 2026, Trump appointed a little-known Biden-era facilities chief, Matt Floca, to oversee the Kennedy Center's two-year renovation.

The players

Rick Grenell

The ousted former president of the Kennedy Center, who was a Trump appointee. Grenell made the controversial comments calling for Kennedy Center staffers to be jailed.

Donald Trump

The former president who heavily restructured the Kennedy Center, firing its president, removing the chairman, and dismissing half the board of trustees. Trump then appointed himself as chairman and announced plans to renovate the facility.

Matt Floca

The Biden-era facilities chief whom Trump appointed to oversee the Kennedy Center's two-year renovation.

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What they’re saying

“I actually think people should go to prison for the deferred maintenance on the Kennedy Center.”

— Rick Grenell, Former Kennedy Center President

“He's a pro at construction. He'll do a good job - if he doesn't, I'll fire him.”

— Donald Trump

What’s next

The judge overseeing the Kennedy Center's renovation plans will decide in the coming weeks whether to allow the proposed changes to move forward.

The takeaway

Grenell's inflammatory comments reflect the Trump administration's combative approach toward federal institutions, with the former president frequently criticizing and seeking to overhaul long-standing government organizations like the Kennedy Center. This episode highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding the management and future of the storied performing arts venue.