President Trump announces new leadership at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, appointing Richard Grenell as interim executive director. (Washington, D.C.) – The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Donald Trump has removed the existing board of trustees at the Kennedy Center and appointed Richard Grenell, his former acting director of national intelligence, as interim executive director. The move, effective immediately, signals a significant shift in control of the federally funded cultural institution. According to an official statement, the President exercised his authority under the center's federal charter to dismiss the previous board, citing a need for 'operational excellence and alignment with administration priorities.' Grenell, a vocal conservative figure, will oversee operations until a permanent board is appointed. The announcement has prompted immediate reactions from both supporters, who praise the shakeup as a necessary reform, and critics, who decry the politicization of the arts. The Kennedy Center, a national landmark on the Potomac River, hosts over 2,000 performances annually and receives millions in federal appropriations. No timeline for appointing a permanent board has been released.