President of the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center Deborah Rutter and Chair David Rubenstein were fired and replaced by President Donald Trump on Feb. 12.

Trump quickly had donors and supporters fill the remaining board seats to appoint himself as the new chairman. Trump had previously criticized the arts center for their “wokeness” and became chairman in an attempt to make significant changes in the arts.

“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” he said.

Trump appointed his longtime foreign policy advisor Richard Grenell to replace Rutter. Trump announced this on his social media platform, Truth Social.

“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” Trump wrote. “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”

Playbill published an article pointing out that Grenell has held many different positions within the Trump administration, but “it does not appear Grenell has any background in the arts or arts administration.”

In an interview on All Things Considered after her termination, Rutter emphasized the importance of the arts center.

“This is more than just the local performing arts center,” she said. “It represents America to the world, and it invites the world to our nation’s capital to be a showcase for all of the arts.”

She also expressed concern for the workers at the center after years of developing an inclusive and inviting environment for artists and audiences alike.

“I’m really, really, really sad about what happens to our artists, what happens on our stages and our staff who support them,” Rutter said.

While Trump had planned terminations as a part of his idea for the “golden age” at the Kennedy Performing Arts Center, others began to leave on their own and cut ties with the center in solidarity with the former president and chair.

In a Facebook post, the artist advisor of the center, Renée Fleming, announced that out of respect for Rutter and Rubenstein, she would be resigning from her role and already has a new role lined up at the Wolf Trap Opera, developing and teaching new artists.

Along with Fleming, Shonda Rhimes resigned from the board, quoting John F. Kennedy, “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 was set to perform a sold-out show at the Kennedy Center that was scheduled for mid-March; however, after the new staffing, she canceled and refunded all the tickets.

“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,” Rae wrote in an Instagram story.

Every board member who was appointed by former President Biden has either been terminated or left.

When speaking to reporters on Air Force One, days before the plan to make himself chairman went into action, Trump stated he had never actually seen a show there.

“I get reports they were so bad, I didn’t want to go, there was nothing I wanted to see,” Trump said.