President of the Kennedy Center Richard Grenell poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
President Donald Trump continues to draw strong criticism from members of the Kennedy family for renaming Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. And some musicians who were scheduled to perform at the venue have canceled their appearances to voice their displeasure.
Trump ally Richard Grenell, who Trump appointed interim president of the Kennedy Center, used the controversy to attack mainstream media outlets in a December 30 post on X, formerly Twitter.
Grenell claimed, "I have just been informed by some booked artists that they are receiving emails from @CNN and The @washingtonpost encouraging them to boycott the Trump Kennedy Center. The legacy media are left wing activists — and they are open about it."
Grenell's tweet is drawing a strong backlash.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois), a Never Trump conservative, mockingly posted an image of a red alarm next to the word "snowflake."
Kinzinger also posted, "This should be easy enough to prove."
Journalist John Harwood mocked Grenell as well, tweeting, "I have just been informed."
Fox News legal analyst Paul Mauro tweeted, "If they are indeed 'booked' guests, then you have a contract that CNN is attempting to impede. Sue them for tortious interference. Ground ball."
Attorney Ron Filipkowski posted, "So is Grenell just going to cry on social media every day because artists want nothing to do with his twisted MAGA perversion of the Kennedy Center? This seems like a great opportunity to showcase MAGA creative and artistic talent. I'm sure they will draw big patriotic crowds."
Author Lois Romano told Grenell, "That would be a firing offense. Please produce the proof."
Travis Akers posted, "First, this story is false. Secondly, even if it were true, I don't think 'Bedtime Stories with Kevin Sorbo' or 'Catturd Sings 80s Commercial Jingles' was going to be widely attended anyway."
Read Adam Cancryn's full article for CNN at this link.