Trump Goon Melts Down Defending Kennedy Center Disasters
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell seems to insist that it was the venue’s decision to split with the Washington National Opera.
Richard Grinnell, president of the Kennedy Center, is attempting to mislead the public following the departure of a historic opera company, the latest to leave the center since its controversial renaming.
The Washington National Opera announced Friday its departure from the Kennedy Center after more than 50 years of residency. The company told NPR that the separation was amicable and due to the center’s new business model, which requires performing artists to fully fund their performances in advance.
“Opera companies typically only cover 30 to 60 percent of their costs through ticket sales, with the rest coming from grants and donations that are impossible to secure years in advance,” it said in a statement to the public radio station.
In an unfriendly move, Grinnell used the X platform to criticize the Washington National Opera’s former exclusive agreement with the Kennedy Center, calling it “financially reckless.” He also claimed that discussions to end the partnership began last year.
“We spent millions of dollars supporting the Washington National Opera’s exclusivity, and yet the organization was still running a multi-million dollar deficit – and it was only getting worse,” Grenell wrote.
The Kennedy Center president reposted these comments after claiming his X account had been hacked and the original post deleted. He said he was looking for the hacker.
“The left continues to try to silence those who don’t share their views, but they will never succeed,” Grenell said.
Grenell also responded to criticism regarding the opera company’s departure by retweeting positive messages. He shared a conservative op-ed criticizing the Washington National Opera’s vote to sever ties with the Kennedy Center and the resulting media coverage, calling the article “must-read.”
The Kennedy Center spokesperson, Roma Daravi, also commented on the opera company’s split from the center, praising the decision as financially responsible.
“The relationship with the Washington National Opera has resulted in persistent financial difficulties for more than a decade—due to politically appointed board members on both sides—and these financial problems predate the current leadership,” she wrote on the X platform.
“When financial commitments are not met year after year, we are forced to make difficult decisions for the financial health of the Trump Kennedy Center.”
The opera company’s artistic director, Francesca Zampello, told NPR that the company was “deeply saddened” by the separation from the Kennedy Center and was exploring new possibilities.
“In the coming years, as we explore new venues and ways of performing, the Washington National Opera remains committed to its mission and artistic vision,” she stated. “Our programming will continue to offer a wide range of performances, from timeless classics to contemporary works, presented in visually stunning productions and with the highest musical standards.”
Several artists have withdrawn from performing at the Kennedy Center since Donald Trump’s decision to affix his name to it. He renamed it the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Memorial Art Memorial was restructured after its board of directors was replaced with loyalists last year.
Grenell has repeatedly criticized those who have resigned from the center, accusing them of adopting “progressive” stances and caving to “left-wing” politics.
