Once a crown jewel of American culture, Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is now facing a stunning collapse in attendance and reputation, and many blame President Donald Trump’s takeover. Since Trump appointed himself chair in February and tapped former ambassador Richard Grenell, a gay MAGA loyalist, to lead operations, ticket sales have plummeted. According to The Washington Post, between September 3 and October 19, 43 percent of seats went unsold, compared to only 7 percent last year.
Trump’s decision to cancel drag shows and cut WorldPride programming has drawn outrage from artists and queer advocates. Former president Michael Kaiser warned that weak ticket sales threaten future donations. Meanwhile, Trump boasts online that it’s now the “TRUMP KENNEDY — whoops, I mean KENNEDY CENTER.” For now, the once-bustling cultural hub stands half-empty — a stark symbol of politics eclipsing the arts.
