The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has long been an important cultural landmark in D.C., bringing a variety of arts programming to the region while also serving as “the Nation’s Cultural Center.” Since it opened in 1971, the Kennedy Center has also been largely apolitical. It receives some federal dollars, but sitting presidents have allowed the Kennedy Center’s board of directors to operate and curate programming without any influence from the executive branch.

That changed earlier this year, when President Donald Trump made himself the chair of the Kennedy Center board. And just this week, he inserted himself into the center’s annual marquee event by announcing this year’s recipients of a lifetime achievement award, the Kenney Center Honors. 

Host Colby Itkowitz speaks with style reporter Travis Andrews about Trump’s move to shake up the Kennedy Center, as well as his broader goals of reshaping arts and culture institutions in the United States.

Today’s show was produced by Thomas Lu. It was edited by Reena Flores and mixed by Sean Carter. 

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