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Summary
Issa Rae and Shonda Rhimes withdraw from the Kennedy Center in protest of President Trump's takeover as chairman. Their resignations and cancellations reflect broader tensions surrounding the institution's leadership changes, raising concerns about the future of bipartisan representation in the arts.
Popular media moguls Issa Rae and Shonda Rhimes have distanced themselves from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts following President Donald Trump’s controversial appointment as chair of the institution. Shonda, known for her hit series “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Scandal,” confirmed her resignation from the post of treasurer on the Kennedy Center board via an Instagram post on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. She shared a quote from President John F. Kennedy, stating, “‘If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.’”
Issa Rae, also famous for her HBO series “Insecure,” also made headlines when she canceled her highly anticipated appearance at the Kennedy Center, set for March. The event, titled “An Evening with Issa Rae,” had sold out. In her own Instagram statement, Rae expressed her discontent, saying, “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.” She assured her fans that all tickets would be refunded.
These decisions come after President Trump announced plans to replace several members of the Kennedy Center board and installed himself as chairman last week. The new board, which includes figures such as second lady Usha Vance and “God Bless the U.S.A.” singer Lee Greenwood, elected Trump as chair on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in the leadership of the prestigious arts institution. This move has drawn extensive criticism, as the Washington Post reported that no president has ever removed a predecessor’s board members at the Kennedy Center or appointed themselves as chair.
In a related development, Ben Folds announced his resignation as artistic adviser for the National Symphony Orchestra, while Renée Fleming also stated her departure as artistic adviser at large just hours later. These exits come on the heels of Trump’s board changes, which removed members appointed by Joe Biden, leaving only Trump loyalists in place. The board’s decision to appoint Trump as chairman raises concerns about the future of bipartisan representation in the arts.
