President Trump announced Friday that he will appoint Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo to the Kennedy Center board of directors, following his appointment as chairman last month.
“I am thrilled to announce that Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo will be joining our Kennedy Center Board – This completes our selection,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
“We look forward to returning the Center to Greatness and ushering in America’s Golden Age. Together, we can make the arts great again!”
Trump’s appointments come amid criticism and upheaval surrounding his recent takeover of the Washington, D.C., performance venue.
Last month, Trump appointed himself as the Kennedy Center’s interim executive director, removing several long-term board members and appointing his envoy for special missions, Richard Grenell.
“We will make the Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!” he declared at the time.
Several celebrities have announced boycotts of the venue in response to the move, including comedian and TV host Whoopi Goldberg, who has promised not to return now that Trump is in charge.
This week, producers of the hit Broadway show “Hamilton” canceled upcoming shows at the Kennedy Center, with lead producer Jeffrey Seller citing the center as a “sacred” setting that should be “protected from politics.”
“Given the recent actions, our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” Seller said in an announcement.
Ingraham and Bartiromo are the latest Fox News anchors Trump has promoted to new positions since retaking office in January. Notably, Fox News host Pete Hegseth now serves as Secretary of Defense.
Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff, Dan Scavino, a former deputy chief of staff, and Usha Vance, the second lady, are among the new Kennedy Center board members.
