Donald Trump has announced his plan to purge the board of trustees at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and install himself as chairman. His goal? To erase drag from one of the nation’s most prestigious arts institutions.
On Truth Social, Trump ranted about “making the Kennedy Center GREAT AGAIN” and promised to end the drag performances occasionally hosted there. His message is clear: queer art is under attack.
The Kennedy Center, home to the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera, is one of the busiest performing arts centers in the U.S., hosting over 2,000 events a year. While the institution has not yet received official word from the White House, some board members have already been terminated.
Queer artists and activists are fighting back. Blaq Dinamyte, president of Qommittee, a network of drag artists and allies, is calling this move what it is—censorship. “This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America’s stage.”
We’ve seen this before: book bans, drag bans, and anti-LGBTQ+ laws disguised as “family values.” But drag is joy. Drag is resistance. And queer art will not disappear.
You may also like
-
Let Your Heart Be Heard: Various Voices Reaches Its Queer Arena Finale
On this fourth day of Various Voices Brussels 2026, the city’s queer choir marathon builds
-
Royalties Day: Various Voices 2026 Crowns Brussels Its Queer Choir Kingdom
Day three of Various Voices Brussels 2026 comes with a clear theme: royalty. Between the
-
Various Voices 2026: Brussels Turns Up the Heat (Again)
Day two of Various Voices Brussels 2026 and one thing is clear: this festival is
-
Various Voices 2026: The Queer Choir City Finally Switches to “On”
After years of preparation, Various Voices Brussels 2026 finally kicks off today: delegations from across
-
Shape of absence: when Villa Empain makes disappearance visible
From 18 June 2026 to 24 January 2027, the Boghossian Foundation presents Shape of absence at Villa Empain, an exhibition that