Shonda Rhimes, a longtime member and treasurer of the Kennedy Center’s board, has officially resigned following Donald Trump’s appointment as chairman of the institution. A spokesperson for Rhimes confirmed her departure, saying, “Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center.”
Rhimes, who was appointed to the board by former President Barack Obama, played a pivotal role as one of its officers. Her exit was not entirely unexpected, given her vocal support of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election and her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—values Trump has openly opposed. Rhimes’ projects like Bridgerton have long reflected those ideals.
Issa Rae followed with her own announcement, canceling her sold-out An Evening with Issa Rae at the Kennedy Center. In a statement on Instagram Stories, Rae explained her decision: “Thank you so much for selling out the Kennedy Center for An Evening with Issa Rae. Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue.”
She assured ticket holders they would receive refunds and added, “Thank you so much for understanding, and I hope to see you soon.”
Ben Folds, artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, and Renée Fleming, artistic adviser-at-large, also stepped down from their roles. Folds took to Instagram, writing, “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today, I am resigning as artistic adviser to the NSO. Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra — just the best!”
The resignations and cancellations came swiftly after Trump purged Biden-appointed board members and replaced them with loyalists who unanimously voted him chairman. Deborah Rutter, the Kennedy Center’s longtime president, was also removed, with Trump’s former envoy Richard Grenell stepping in as interim president.
The departures have raised questions about the future of key Kennedy Center events, including the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, which in 2017 saw multiple honorees boycott a White House reception hosted by Trump. With his new role, Trump and his allies now have control over the selection of honorees.
Rhimes’ exit and Rae’s canceled appearance symbolize a larger exodus of talent from an institution whose mission is to represent America’s diverse cultural tapestry.