Trump previously criticized the venue for hosting drug shows and other programs he deemed to be against traditional American values.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump attended the board as new chairman after visiting the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts on March 17, a month after a wiped leadership shake-up at the Washington-based Arts Institute.
“I’m extremely disappointed,” Trump told reporters after touring the Kennedy Center.
He said the facility is “incredibly devastated” and is primarily for management.
The president criticized previous executives for spending $250 million to build the basement, calling it “a terrible waste.”
“We’re going to make it great again,” he said, adding that he will work with Congress to secure the necessary funds.
In early February, Trump ousted the agency’s leaders and appointed new members to the council.
Related Stories
In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law to establish the National Cultural Centre.
Presidents John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy were considerable supporters of the project and launched a $30 million funding campaign for construction in November 1962.
Two months after the assassination of JFK in November 1963, President Lyndon Johnson signed the law of Congress to designate the Centre as a living monument to JFK.
Trump said the Kennedy Center is important as it represents the country’s capital and “a very important part of the country.”
He urged Americans to “come here and see” the performance, adding that over time they will witness positive changes in the venue.
“It’s going to improve very physically, and we’re going to get some very good shows,” Trump said.
The Arts Centre is supported by government funding and private donations.
Trump replaced David Rubenstein, a billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of investment firm The Carlyle Group, as chairman of the Kennedy Center.
In a Truth Social Post in February, Trump described the center as an “American gem” that was hurt by hosting drug shows and other programs against traditional American values.
In addition to Trump, more than a dozen new board members have been appointed to the center.
Some of the new appointees who attended the board meeting include Second Lady Ushavance, White House Susie Wills chief, singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood, Fox News host Lawline Graham, Fox Business Anchor Maria Baltiromo and special US envoy Rick Grenell.
Trump recently appointed Grenell as chairman of the Kennedy Center.
In an interview with the Epoch Times, Grenell outlined Trump’s vision for performing arts venues.
He said Trump, as an arts agency that receives federal funds, believes the Center “must give the public what they want.”
“You should do a big hit musical. You should do a traditional Nutcracker at Christmastime. You should do a big art that appeals to the masses,” Grenell said.
He showed that the new plan would also help resolve financial issues at the Centre.
“The financial situation is dire,” Grenell said. The building itself said it was “really miserable” due to delays in maintenance and lack of funds for proper maintenance.
Washington’s mainstay “should be the best center in the nation’s capital for the arts,” he said.
The Kennedy Center recently made headlines after the threat of fake bombs targeting Shen Yun Performing Arts led to the evacuation of the venue on February 20th. The New York-based art group introduces what is called “China before communism,” and is a frequent target for the Chinese Communist Party.
“Don’t confuse that,” White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt said during a news briefing on the March 17th threat. “This administration takes it very seriously and holds you accountable.
“We clearly condemn the violence and threats of violence against the American system.”
Jan Jekielek and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report.
