A Kennedy Center insider recounts the decline under Trump's board takeover
A Kennedy Center employee and freelance writer provides a first-hand account of the decline of the Kennedy Center following Donald Trump's takeover of its board. The article details plummeting ticket sales, wasteful spending on unnecessary renovations and a private jet, needless venue closures, the firing of experienced staff, and the replacement of artistic programming with conservative-leaning content. The piece paints a picture of institutional decay, mismanagement, and cultural vandalism at one of America's premier performing arts venues.
Key quotes
Prior to the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center, Saturday evenings were bustling. It wasn't unusual to have 10 to 12 shows in a day — where all nine venues on the campus were in use and sold out — which meant more than 7,500 people would move through its hallowed halls.
I stood alone in the Grand Foyer of the Kennedy Center having just finished a shift at the box office, a part-time position I've held since September 2019.
The Saturday evening of this past Memorial Day weekend was very different.
From the article
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