Westport's Shonda Rhimes Says See 'Ya To The Kennedy Center For The Arts

Shonda Rhimes being interviewed at the Westport Library’s Martin Luther King celebration last month. Photo by J.C. Martin for Westport Local Press

Trump's takeover of the organization prompts several board resignations and artist cancellations.

Story by J.C. Martin for Westport Local Press

Shonda Rhimes, who was treasurer of the Kennedy Center, one of Americas premier arts organization has resigned that position.

The Center made its public debut on September 8, 1971, with a gala opening performance featuring the world premiere of a Requiem mass honoring President Kennedy, a work commissioned from the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.

Honorees have included a who's who of America's greatest and most beloved members of the arts community. The Kennedy Center Honors was televised earlier this year with Francis Ford Coppola, Bonnie Raitt, Arturo Sandoval, the Grateful Dead and Apollo Theater receiving the 2024 honors. The list of those honored would fill a few pages here and include Earth, Wind & Fire, The Eagles, Sally Field, Henry Fonda, Cher, Reba McEntire, Lin-Manuel Miranda, George Clooney and Bob Dylan.

Forbes Magazine's story cites a "War On Woke Programming" Forbes Kennedy Center The story has appeared in multiple media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, The New York Post and NPR.

Trump previewed his vision to usher in " a new age in arts and culture" last week when it was reported that he would appoint himself as chair of the center.

Trump, who has never attended the Kennedy Center, has fired numerous board members and replaced them with people from his inner circle including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, her deputy Dan Scavino and second lady Usha Vance.