On the 7th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump criticized certain performances and announced that he would personally take on the role of chairman of the Kennedy Center, a representative performance venue in Washington DC. The Kennedy Center is a comprehensive performing arts center established in 1971 to honor former President John F. Kennedy, who is regarded as an icon of the Democratic Party.
President Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social, "We will make the Kennedy Center in Washington DC great again," adding, "I have decided to immediately dismiss multiple members of the Kennedy Center board, including the chairman, who do not share our vision for a golden age of arts and culture."
He continued, "We will soon announce a new board, including the amazing (new) chairman Donald J. Trump."
President Trump emphasized, "Last year, the Kennedy Center specifically targeted youth with drag shows (performances by men dressed as women or women dressed as men). This will end." He also explained, "The Kennedy Center is a jewel of America and should showcase the brightest stars from across the nation."
The current chairman of the Kennedy Center, whom Trump announced he would dismiss, is billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, co-founder of the private equity firm Carlyle Group. He is known to be close to former President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
The members of the Kennedy Center board, a leading comprehensive performance venue in the U.S. capital Washington, are appointed by the sitting U.S. president. Recently, President Trump has actively reflected the right-wing voice in the so-called "culture war," sharply dividing opinions between American progressives and conservatives on LGBTQ issues, such as signing an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports competitions.
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