WASHINGTON – Jacqueline Kennedy, the iconic former first lady known for her poise, once held the title of honorary chair of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, named in honor of her assassinated husband.

President Dwight Eisenhower originally envisioned the cultural center, located along the east bank of the Potomac River, as an “artistic sanctuary” back in 1959.

More than 60 years later, just under three weeks after being inaugurated for a second term, Donald Trump took to social media to announce that he had appointed himself as the new chairman of the Kennedy Center.

Trump further stated that he had chosen to “immediately remove several individuals” from the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, including the current chairman, claiming they did not align with “our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.”

What sparked Trump’s discontent?

“Just last year, the Kennedy Center hosted Drag Shows aimed specifically at youth — THIS WILL STOP,” he asserted. “The Kennedy Center is an American Gem and must showcase the brightest STARS from all over our Nation on its stage.”

While Trump has not specifically targeted drag performances in public statements, he has pushed to prohibit transgender student-athletes from competing in women’s sports and has threatened federal funding for schools that do not follow these policies. An executive order issued on Wednesday may even prevent transgender athletes from participating in the upcoming 2028 Olympics.

Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who has been board chairman since 2010, was appointed to the Kennedy Center board by former President George W. Bush.

Despite Trump’s assertion of having “immediately terminated” Rubenstein, a prior announcement on the center’s website noted that he is set to retire in January 2025.

The same announcement mentioned that Rubenstein would head the Kennedy Center Foundation, a newly established organization formed by the board of trustees aimed at enhancing national philanthropic support for the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center has not responded to inquiries via email and phone for comments.

The center is referred to on the website as a “living tribute to President John F. Kennedy.” It draws millions of visitors annually, hosting over 2,000 performances and is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.