Kennedy Center Faces 'Stunning' Drop in Ticket Sales After Trump's Leadership Change: Report

Leadership Overhaul at the Kennedy Center

A controversial shakeup at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has led to a significant drop in ticket sales and growing artist withdrawals, following an aggressive restructuring effort by former President Donald Trump.

Upon returning to office, Trump dismissed the existing leadership at the Kennedy Center, installing Richard Grenell as his chosen representative and filling the board with loyalists. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the changes, stating, "The Kennedy Center learned the hard way that if you go woke, you will go broke. President Trump and the members of his newly-appointed board are devoted to rebuilding the Kennedy Center into a thriving and highly respected institution where all Americans, and visitors from around the world, can enjoy the arts with respect to America’s great history and traditions." The White House / Wikimedia

Ticket Sales Plummet After Trump Takeover

However, the immediate impact of these changes has been a sharp decline in revenue. According to The Washington Post journalist Travis Anderson, “In the week following Trump’s announcement, ticket sales dropped by roughly 50 percent compared to the previous week, a stunning aberration, according to several Kennedy Center staff members who spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.” Carol M. Highsmith / Wikimedia

Artists Withdraw in Protest

The declining sales have prompted performers to reconsider their commitments to the institution. Canadian mystery writer Louise Penny publicly announced her withdrawal from a scheduled appearance, writing on Facebook, "I was supposed to launch THE BLACK WOLF at the Kennedy Center in DC, but in the wake of Trump taking over, I have pulled out. It was, of course, going to be a career highlight. But there are things far more important than that." Ian Crysler / Wikimedia

Uncertain Future for the Kennedy Center

The ongoing fallout raises concerns over the future of one of America’s most prestigious arts institutions, as both artists and audiences react to the drastic ideological shift at the Kennedy Center. Whether Trump’s restructuring will ultimately revive or erode the institution remains to be seen. Tom / Wikimedia