UPDATED Kennedy Center Collapse as Everyone Is Out: Chief Officer Ousted, Shonda Rimes and Renee Fleming Exit, Ben Folds Quits National Symphony as Advisor

UPDATED Shonda Rhimes has officially quit the Kennedy Center board. She was the last holdover from the old regime still on the new list. But now she’s confirmed she’s out, along with everyone below and David Rubenstein, who steered the Kennedy Center back from financial peril.

Also Renee Fleming resigned today, too.

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The Kennedy Center is in disarray officially.

New Trump appointed leader Richard Grenell ousted the chief, Deborah Rutter, who was staying until the end of the year.

Famed musician Ben Folds has quit as adviser to the National Symphony.

Everyone else from the board is gone.

Grenell is under orders to de-“woke” the Kennedy Center Honors and the whole place itself. He and Trump are set on burning down American culture and replacing with right wing, quote All American MAGA Christian garbage.

With everyone gone, the Kennedy Center as a theatrical venue is now in jeopardy if touring artists refuse to play there. That’s a possibility, at least until the Trump 2.0 admin is over and actual humans with taste return.

Ben Folds wrote on Instagram: “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic adviser to the N.S.O. Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra — just the best!”

The new Board, all appointed by Trump, are Republicans, fundraisers for Trump, etc. Some of them are so ridiculous a spit take is the only response.

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