New this morning, President Trump is expected to announce this year's Kennedy Center honorees while visiting the Story Performing Arts Center. Earlier this year, President Trump took the unprecedented move to gut the Kennedy Center's board, going on to name himself as chairman. His visit today comes as he makes a broad push for control over the nation's capital, highlighting his efforts to influence cultural institutions in Washington, D.C.
The announcement of the honorees will be the first since President Trump assumed the role of chairman of the Kennedy Center's board in February. He also appointed a close ally, Rick Grinnell, as the Kennedy Center's president. The President hinted at potential renaming of the Kennedy Center after himself or First Lady Melania Trump in a social media post, generating speculation about the future of the institution.
The Kennedy Center had teased possible honorees, mentioning a country music icon, an Englishman, a dance queen, and a multi-billion dollar actor. This announcement marks a significant shift from the President's first term when he declined to attend the Kennedy Center honors for all four years.
President Trump's actions regarding the Kennedy Center align with his broader efforts to assert influence over cultural and historical institutions in the capital. Recently, he has pressured Smithsonian museums and other cultural entities to revise historical narratives in line with an executive order he signed earlier this year. Additionally, the deployment of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., reflects his administration's efforts to increase federal presence in the city.
