Trump Says He’s Disappointed In What?

President Donald Trump expressed disappointment after his first tour of the Kennedy Center since appointing himself chairman of the renowned performing arts institution. During his visit, he pledged to restore the center, emphasizing its significance to Washington, D.C., and the nation as a whole.

“It’s in tremendous disrepair, much like many other parts of our country due to poor management,” Trump told reporters on Monday. He toured the facility and held his first meeting as chairman of the board, a role he assumed after making sweeping changes to the center’s leadership.

Trump, drawing on his background as a real estate developer, criticized the facility’s past spending decisions, particularly costly underground rooms that, in his words, “nobody’s going to use.” While specific details weren’t provided, the Kennedy Center underwent a $250 million expansion in 2019, which Trump appeared to take issue with.

“I’m very disappointed when I look around,” he remarked. “But the bottom line is, it has tremendous potential. We’ll work with Congress to fix it up because this is a very public facility, and it should represent the best of America.”

Ending “Woke” Influence at the Kennedy Center

Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center is part of a broader effort to restore American culture and push back against what he sees as a “woke” agenda infiltrating the arts. After assuming control in February, he dismissed multiple board members and installed Richard Grenell, his special envoy for missions, as interim executive director.

“We didn’t like what they were showing,” Trump said last month. “We’re going to make sure that it’s good, and it’s not going to be woke.”

He was accompanied on his visit by Grenell, along with a distinguished group of conservative figures, including Fox News hosts Laura Ingraham and Maria Bartiromo, country music icon Lee Greenwood, his chief of staff Susie Wiles, and Second Lady Usha Vance—all of whom were newly appointed to the board under his leadership.

“The Kennedy Center represents a very important part of D.C. and our country,” Trump said. “It’s time to ensure that it reflects strong American values and traditions.”

Restoring American Tradition in the Arts

The White House reinforced Trump’s vision for the Kennedy Center, emphasizing a return to artistic productions that celebrate American heritage.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president hopes “to restore arts and culture that embrace American tradition, rather than disparage it, as we’ve unfortunately seen in recent years.”

She added that Trump’s “business developer mindset” would lead to improvements at the center, including recommendations for future performances that align with his vision for a revitalized American arts scene.

Backlash from Hollywood and the Left

Predictably, Trump’s efforts have faced resistance from liberal artists and Hollywood elites. Several high-profile figures, including Ben Folds, Shonda Rhimes, and Renée Fleming, stepped down from their roles at the Kennedy Center in protest.

Actress Issa Rae even canceled her sold-out show at the venue, claiming, “I think this is an violation on the values of the institution that has proudly honored artists of various backgrounds.”

Vice President J.D. Vance was met with boos from some audience members during a National Symphony Orchestra performance last week, further highlighting the cultural divide between Trump’s vision and the entrenched leftist influences in the arts.

A New Era for the Kennedy Center

Trump, who previously distanced himself from the Kennedy Center during his first term due to its hostility toward conservatives, is now actively shaping its future.

When asked what he would say to potential audience members interested in attending performances under his leadership, Trump was direct: “Come here and see a show.”

Although he admitted he was “not a fan” of Hamilton—which recently canceled its scheduled Kennedy Center run—he acknowledged that Broadway productions have been successful and that better entertainment is on the way.

“You’ll see, over time, that this place will improve greatly, both physically and in the quality of its shows,” Trump assured.

As the Kennedy Center enters a new era, conservatives can look forward to performances that honor American values, rather than push a divisive agenda.