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Richard Grenell, the longtime Republican foreign policy adviser who oversaw sweeping changes at the Kennedy Center that saw many artists leave the iconic performing arts venue, is stepping down as president of the institution.
It is not yet known whether we have a resignation or a dismissal of Grenell by Trump, but American media reports that the diplomat will be replaced by Matt Floca, vice president of facilities operations.
Grenell's departure comes as the Kennedy Center prepares to close this summer for a two-year renovation. Grenell was a key player in President Donald Trump's effort to radically reorganize the Kennedy Center soon after he returned to office. A month into his administration, Trump fired the Kennedy Center's directors, filled the board of trustees with his supporters and announced that he had been elected chairman of the board.
President Donald Trump is expected to dismiss Richard Grenell from his position as head of the Kennedy Center, American media reports citing three sources familiar with the matter.
The announcement of Grenell's departure could come as early as today, two of the sources said.
Grenell's tenure as interim president of the Kennedy Center since February 2025 has been marked by strong backlash, followed by cancellations of high-profile performances, protests, declining ticket sales and financial difficulties, as he sought to implement the president's vision for the arts center.
Despite previous warmth between Trump and Grenell, an early loyalist who has served in various roles during Trump's two terms, the White House chief of staff appears to have been frustrated by a slew of negative headlines about the arts institution's reorganization, the sources said.
A source familiar with the White House's view said the president liked Grenell but thought he had made mistakes when it came to leading the Kennedy Center, including managing publicity.
A White House official insisted that Grenell was not being fired, but that he always intended to help during the Kennedy Center transition period and then leave the role.
While leading the Kennedy Center, Grenell often bucked art world trends, challenging traditions and distorting norms that had been in place for decades, which critics claim has led to strain and irreparable damage to the institution.
Those who work with Grenell describe him as combative, confrontational and stubborn. A source close to the Kennedy Center complained that Grenell had no experience or knowledge of the arts world and came “with a hammer” and “campaign tricks” that are taking the institution in the wrong direction.
But others claimed that he was exactly the person who needed to bring Trump's vision to life.
In recent days, Trump "had become irritated with her," a source close to the Kennedy Center said.
"Ric worked hard to keep Trump in good graces, but Trump got tired of hearing every day about how badly the Kennedy Center was being run and (how) Trump was destroying it," the source said.
One of the sources familiar with the matter also described Grenell's departure as a transition, not a departure, noting that the arts institution is moving toward a planned renovation phase.
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