Trump ally Ric Grenell stepping down as Kennedy Center president

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Fri Mar 13, 2026, 05:34 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 5:14 PM EDT, March 13, 2026


WASHINGTON (AP) — Richard Grenell, the longtime Republican foreign policy adviser who oversaw far reaching changes at the Kennedy Center that prompted many artists to abandon the iconic performing arts venue, will step down as the institution’s president.

President Donald Trump announced the change on Friday after it was first reported by Axios. The president said Matt Floca, who manages the Kennedy Center’s facilities operations, will succeed Grenell. The moves are expected to be finalized at a board meeting scheduled for Monday at the White House, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss plans that are not yet public.

Grenell was a central player in Trump’s push to dramatically overhaul the Kennedy Center following the Republican president’s return to office. After mostly ignoring the center during his first term, Trump made it a focal point in his war against “woke” culture.” He ousted the Kennedy Center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a hand-picked board of trustees who voted to rename the facility the Trump Kennedy Center, a change scholars and lawmakers say must be initiated by Congress.

More recently, Trump’s name was physically added to the building’s iconic facade.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-richard-grenell-6bf4f74ea5f0e80abf8f9c181cdd431a

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Just breaking.

Article updated.

Original article -

Updated 4:41 PM EDT, March 13, 2026


WASHINGTON (AP) — Richard Grenell, the longtime Republican foreign policy adviser who oversaw far reaching changes at the Kennedy Center that prompted many artists to abandon the iconic performing arts venue, will step down as the institution’s president.

The development was first reported on Friday by Axios and later confirmed by a person familiar with the plans who requested anonymity because the news was not yet public. The person said the change will be announced at a board meeting scheduled for Monday at the White House. Matt Floca, the vice president of facilities operations, is expected to succeed Grenell.

Grenell’s departure comes as the Kennedy Center prepares to close this summer for a two-year renovation. Grenell was a central player in President Donald Trump’s push to dramatically overhaul the Kennedy Center soon after he returned to office. A month into his administration, Trump ousted the Kennedy Center’s leadership, filled the board of trustees with his supporters and announced he had been elected the board’s chair.

More recently, Trump attached his name to the building.

[niyad]

1. How odd. I could have sworn I read that here on DU days ago.

[BumRushDaShow]

5. There have been a parade of people involved in that Center who have raced to the exits

Apparently other media are reporting about him having been "fired" (that same old "I resign" / "No you're fired" thing).

[niyad]

7. But I remember reading his name. He must have been annoying me about

something else.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. Only on days that end in a "y."

Check the District of Columbia forum. I've started a lot of threads about him there.

Have a great weekend.

[niyad]

10. And you as well. I try not to think about him any more than is

absolutely necessary.

[Prairie Gates]

2. We barely knew thee

Fucking clown.

[niyad]

8. But still wayyyyyy more than I wanted to.

[CanonRay]

3. How long was he there? Couple of months?

And managed to wreck the place. True MAGA.

[QueerDuck]

4. "My work here is done, Mr. President... bring in the wrecking ball and demolition crew."

[twodogsbarking]

6. The tar and feathers convinced him it was time to go.