The Washington, D.C., arts community is split between defiant protest and quiet resignation since President Donald Trump took control of one of its national treasures, the Kennedy Center. "It's a hostile takeover,

On Feb. 7, Trump announced on Truth Social that he would be terminating “multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman,” referring to longtime Kennedy Center chair and major donor David Rubenstein. Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter was also ousted.

The Kennedy Center canceled a concert planned for May 21 that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC, performing alongside the National Symphony Orchestra. The two groups were planning to collaborate on a piece called “A Peacock Among Pigeons,” with GMCW serving as the orchestra’s guest chorus. No explanation was given.

Award-winning singe-musician Rhiannon Giddens has become the latest artist to call off an appearance at the Kennedy Center, which has been in upheaval since President Donald Trump took office.

Rhiannon Giddens is joining a number of other artists in taking a stand against Donald Trump ‘s Kennedy Center takeover, with the singer-songwriter announcing Tuesday (Feb. 25) that she’s relocating her upcoming show to a different venue amid the president’s controversial changes.

In the first month of his second term, Trump has ousted the arts institution’s leadership, filled the board of trustees with his supporters and was elected the board's chair.

Richard Grenell, the center’s new president, told a conservative gathering that the “big change” at the center would be a “huge celebration of the birth of Christ at Christmas.”