Broadway actress Patti LuPone drew sharp criticism this week after suggesting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., “should get blown up” in response to President Donald Trump’s recent overhaul of the institution.
In an interview published Monday by the New Yorker, LuPone, 76, voiced her anger over changes made to the Kennedy Center’s leadership and direction under Trump’s administration.
The comment came amid growing backlash within the entertainment industry over the president’s restructuring of the nation’s most prominent performing arts venue.
Broadway performer Patti LuPone repeatedly stated that the Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump’s leadership “should get blown up” during a recent interview.
The D-list actress also called for New York to secede from the United States during her interview with The New…— TheTexasOne (@TexasRepublic71) May 27, 2025
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In February, President Trump dismissed multiple board members of the Kennedy Center, including its president and chairman, and appointed new members aligned with his administration’s vision.
The newly installed board subsequently named Trump as chairman of the center.
.@POTUS: “Instead of putting forward programming that tears our country down and tears our county apart, the Kennedy Center should be the nation’s premier venue for lifting up the best of our country and lifting up the American arts, theater, music and culture.” pic.twitter.com/P2xfpwudyu
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 19, 2025
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The president announced the reshuffle on his Truth Social platform, where he outlined his goal to “make the Kennedy Center great again.”
He emphasized that the move was intended to eliminate what he described as programming that had deviated from the center’s original mission.
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“We are restoring the Kennedy Center to its rightful place as a shining beacon of American culture,” Trump wrote.
“Drag shows targeting children have no place in our national arts institutions.”
At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN. I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. We will…
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Posts From Truth Social (@TrumpDailyPosts) February 7, 2025
Trump’s changes sparked a wave of resignations and performance cancellations by several artists who objected to the new leadership and direction.
LuPone joined that chorus in her interview with New Yorker contributor Michael Schulman, where she issued a series of inflammatory statements.
“She’s even angrier at the rest of the country,” Schulman wrote.
“She told me, more than once, that the Trumpified Kennedy Center ‘should get blown up.’”
LuPone also expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s influence beyond Washington.
“Leave New York alone,” she reportedly said.
The Broadway performer has a long history of public opposition to President Trump.
In 2020, she said she was considering moving to Ireland if Trump won re-election.
At the Tony Awards in 2017, LuPone stated she would refuse to perform for Trump if he attended one of her shows, declaring, “because I hate the motherf**ker.”
DIVA! Patti LuPone (Agatha Desde Sempre) DETONA Trump:
R: “Por que o presidente Trump deveria assistir seu show?”
Patti: “Bem, eu espero que ele não vá, porque se ele for eu não performarei.”
R: “Sério? Me conte o porquê.”
Patti: “Bem, porque eu odeio o filho da p*ta. Que tal… pic.twitter.com/MVzKAux9iW
— POPTime (@siteptbr) November 7, 2024
Richard Grenell, who was appointed president of the Kennedy Center following the leadership change, condemned LuPone’s remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The far left has morphed into violent extremists,” Grenell said.
“This is completely unacceptable – from the same people who claim to be for tolerance and diversity. Everyone should condemn these radicals.”
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly also responded to the controversy, defending the president’s actions.
“President Trump cares deeply about American arts and culture, which is why he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to their former greatness,” she said.
The Kennedy Center, established in 1971 and named after President John F. Kennedy, has long been considered a symbol of American cultural excellence.
The recent shakeup has fueled ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and members of the entertainment industry, many of whom remain vocal in their opposition.
As of Tuesday, LuPone had not issued a public clarification or apology for her comments.
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