Ben Folds, the legendary pianist and former artistic advisor to the Kennedy Center’s National Symphony Orchestra, testified before Congress today with a damning assessment of what happened when Donald Trump took control of the venue. Folds, who served in his role for nearly a decade, resigned in February 2025 when Trump removed board members and appointed himself chairman. According to Folds, the transformation was swift and devastating: an institution that once celebrated art for all Americans became a“hyper-politicized environment”where artists now fear performing. His testimony was unsparing:“When you politicize art, you’ve got propaganda.”
The impact on artists has been real and chilling. Performers can no longer accept or decline Kennedy Center invitations without the decision appearing to endorse or protest the administration. Singer Yasmin Levy’s performance at the venue became a cautionary tale when she faced harassment from allegedly paid hecklers after criticizing the board’s programming and diversity changes. For Folds, the situation became impossible to navigate. He couldn’t guarantee the safety of the artists he booked from political retribution. Folds testified that the takeover“hobbled the Kennedy Center, broke its once-proven successful business model and disrespected its original core mission.”The hearing, presided by Senator Richard Blumenthal, also examined other Trump“vanity projects”accused of wasting hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.
The Kennedy Center case raises urgent questions about artistic freedom and institutional independence. Cultural venues that once served as neutral spaces for expression have become battlegrounds. A federal judge did rule in May that Trump cannot add his name to the Kennedy Center’s title and must remove any signage referencing him, but the damage to the institution’s mission may be harder to repair. What do you think should happen next to restore the Kennedy Center’s independence?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.