Trump's Kennedy Center Shakeup: Grenell Out, Floca In, and a Controversial Renaming Sparks Boycotts
Richard Grenell is out as president of the Kennedy Center, replaced by Matt Floca, amidst ongoing controversy surrounding a potential renaming and subsequent artist boycotts.
Donald Trump has announced that Richard Grenell is to be replaced as president of the Kennedy Center. This decision follows a tumultuous year for the venue, marked by artist cancellations and boycotts triggered by the board's vote last December to rename it the Trump-Kennedy Center. This controversial move ignited widespread criticism within the artistic community.
The renaming prompted jazz musician Chuck Redd to cancel his annual Christmas Eve show, a tradition since 2006.
Despite Grenell’s strong criticism of Redd’s decision and a demand for $1 million in damages for what he termed a “political stunt,” veteran jazz septet The Cookers also cancelled two New Year’s Eve performances. New York dance troupe Doug Varone and Dancers followed suit, axing two of their shows scheduled for April.
Stephen Schwartz
Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz joined the growing boycott, stating that the center no longer represented “the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be”.
Trump announced Grenell’s departure on Truth Social: “Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done.”
Ric Grenell is out at the Kennedy Center — Trump taps Matt Floca as the COO and executive director: pic.twitter.com/AD8NQEX1VY
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) March 13, 2026
Grenell will be succeeded by Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s current vice president of facilities operations.
Trump also announced that the venue will close for two years for renovations after the forthcoming July 4th celebrations.
The controversial renaming has spurred legal action from Democrats, who filed a lawsuit to remove Trump’s name. Representative Joyce Beatty, a designated board member, argues that the renaming is unlawful, requiring an act of Congress.
Originally named after John F. Kennedy in 1964 as a “living memorial”, his niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove the Trump name once he leaves office.
Meanwhile, South Park writer Toby Morton revealed that he purchased the Trump-Kennedy Center domain names months ago, in what he described as an effort to troll the former US President.
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