TLDR;
Joseph Polermo discusses his Atlantic article on the decline of the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration with Sunny Bunch. He recounts his experience working there, the politicization of the institution, questionable fundraising tactics, and the eventual closure of the center. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining nonpartisanship in public arts institutions and is working with Senator Sheldon White House to create safeguards against future political takeovers.
- Joseph Polermo discusses the decline of the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration.
- Fundraising tactics shifted to selling access to Trump, and cultural diplomacy was disregarded.
- The Kennedy Center is closing for renovations, but the real reason may be financial struggles.
- Polermo is working with Senator Sheldon White House to prevent future political takeovers of the Kennedy Center.
Introduction [0:00]
Sunny Bunch introduces Joseph Polermo to discuss his article in The Atlantic about the decline of the Kennedy Center. Bunch expresses his distress at seeing the Kennedy Center "pulled down from the inside" by the Trump administration, and thanks Polermo for sharing his insights.
How Joseph Got Involved with the Kennedy Center [0:40]
Joseph Polermo explains that he joined the Kennedy Center after a project he was developing for America's 250th anniversary lost funding. He reached out to Rick Rennell, who had recently become the head of the Kennedy Center, hoping they would host his project. Polermo disclosed that he had never voted for Donald Trump to Rennell's deputy during the pitch meeting. He was offered a position to establish a visual arts program at the Kennedy Center, in addition to having his project hosted there.
Politicization of the Kennedy Center [3:21]
Donald Trump appointed himself as chairman of the board and made inappropriate comments about art and artists, including banning drag performances. Fundraising strategies shifted towards selling access to Donald Trump, which Polermo found unethical for a nonprofit arts organization.
Changes at the Kennedy Center: Lounges [5:06]
The Kennedy Center's lounges, which were gifts from countries around the world as tributes to cultural diplomacy, were being sold off to corporate sponsors and individual donors. One lounge, formerly the Russian lounge, was renamed the Cyber Jets Lounge after its naming rights were sold to Trevor Milton, who had been pardoned by Trump after a corruption conviction.
Paying for Access to Trump [7:38]
Tickets to see a performance with Donald Trump in attendance were being sold for exorbitant prices, with box seats costing $2 million and orchestra-level tickets priced at $100,000, solely due to Trump's presence.
Rick Rennell's Leadership Style [8:18]
Rick Rennell delegated responsibilities to his cronies, who lacked arts management experience and seemed interested only in celebrities and red carpet events. Rennell himself rarely visited the office and, when asked about his interest in the arts, simply mentioned celebrities.
Kennedy Center Honors [9:55]
The Kennedy Center Honors became politicized under Trump, with Trump supporters being chosen as honorees. The event itself was chaotic, with attendees struggling to get water and Trump dominating the ceremony, shifting the focus away from the honorees. Trump even suggested adding his name to the building.
Trump's Name on the Building [12:18]
Rick Rennell suggested adding Trump's name to the Kennedy Center as a gesture for Melania Trump, rather than at the explicit request of Donald Trump himself.
Fundraising off October 7th Memorial [13:37]
During an opening reception for an art exhibition commemorating the October 7th attack, Rick Grenell used his speaking time to solicit donations, stating that if attendees wanted the space to remain the Israeli lounge, they needed to donate money. Polermo found this fundraising pitch to be inappropriate and offensive.
Kennedy Center's Closure [15:20]
Donald Trump announced that the Kennedy Center would be closing for two years for renovations, but the real reason may be declining finances and an inability to book programming. While some renovations are needed, they are primarily back-of-house repairs. Polermo believes the Kennedy Center may be facing bankruptcy due to financial mismanagement under Trump's leadership.
Hopes for the Future [19:40]
Polermo hopes that the Kennedy Center will reopen with safeguards in place to prevent future political takeovers. He is working with Senator Sheldon White House, who is conducting an investigation into the Kennedy Center, to ensure that public arts institutions remain nonpartisan.
