U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to remove Richard Grenell from his role as director of the Kennedy Center, according to three sources familiar with the matter, CNN reported.
The move comes as the prominent arts and cultural institution, which now bears Trump’s name on its facade, is expected to close for about two years for renovations while the president seeks to reshape it according to his vision.
Two sources said an announcement regarding Grenell’s departure could come as early as today.
Grenell has served as the interim president of the Kennedy Center since February 2025. His tenure has been marked by controversy, including cancellations of major performances, protests, declining ticket sales, and financial difficulties as he attempted to implement Trump’s plans for the institution.
Although Trump and Grenell previously maintained a close relationship, sources say the president became frustrated with a series of negative headlines surrounding changes to the arts institution.
One source familiar with the White House position said Trump personally liked Grenell but felt he had failed in managing the Kennedy Center, particularly when it came to handling public perception and media coverage.
A White House official insisted that Grenell is not being fired, saying he was always expected to help during a transition period and then step down from the position.
During his leadership of the Kennedy Center, Grenell frequently challenged long-standing traditions in the arts community, drawing criticism from cultural figures who argued that his approach created tensions and caused lasting damage to the institution.
People who have worked with Grenell describe him as confrontational, challenging, and stubborn. One source close to the Kennedy Center said he lacked experience in the arts world and approached the role with a campaign-style mentality that some believe pushed the institution in the wrong direction.
Others, however, argued that Grenell was exactly the person needed to implement Trump’s vision, bringing a direct management style and introducing significant staffing changes within the center.
In recent days, Trump has reportedly grown somewhat disappointed with Grenell’s performance, according to a source familiar with the situation.
“Ric worked hard to stay in Trump’s favor, but Trump got tired of turning on the television every day and hearing criticism about how the Kennedy Center was being run and how Trump was destroying it,” the source said.
Another source familiar with the plans for the Kennedy Center described Grenell’s departure as a transition rather than a dismissal, noting that the institution is entering the construction phase of the planned renovations and that Grenell had hoped to remain during that period.
