The Kennedy Center also underwent significant changes. The board was restructured with Trump appointees who pushed for a rebranding as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. New signage was quickly installed following a board vote. This governance change excluded Congressional oversight, leading to discontent among employees.
The Kennedy Center faced upheaval as Trump’s appointees restructured the board, prompting a controversial rebranding initiative.
In July 2025, over 90 workers sought to unionize, claiming essential departments were being dismantled. High-profile performers, including those from the musical “Hamilton,” canceled their appearances in protest. The changes at the Kennedy Center reflect broader tensions seen in federalism’s role in shaping education policies, where local priorities often clash with overarching federal mandates.
The Smithsonian Institution faced a similar fate. A letter from the White House on August 12, 2025, announced a “comprehensive internal review” of its museums and exhibits. The aim was to align with Trump’s vision of celebrating American exceptionalism. Additionally, pressure from Trump’s allies led curators to be sidelined from race-focused exhibitions due to executive pressure. An executive order mandated the removal of “divisive” content from the Smithsonian and other cultural institutions. This initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s extensive review of Smithsonian exhibitions.
Additionally, the Department of Education cut more than $600 million in funding for “divisive teacher training grants.” An executive order issued in January 2025 targeted programs promoting “gender ideology” and “Critical Race Theory.”
The National Education Association and civil liberties groups expressed concern over these measures, warning they could harm educational content across the country. This wave of changes has sparked controversy and raised questions about censorship in American culture.
