Former Kennedy Center Curator Details Institution's Crisis Under Trump

In a chat with NPR's Morning Edition, Josef Palermo, who used to be the visual arts curator at the Kennedy Center, shared insights about the turmoil at the venue. He joined the center at a chaotic time when many were leaving or being let go, considering himself a "metaphorical first responder" trying to pick up the pieces. His thoughts were also expressed in an Atlantic piece called "What I Saw Inside the Kennedy Center." This conversation follows President Trump’s announcement to hand the center's management back to Congress amid various issues, including legal setbacks. A D.C. judge backed jazz musician Chuck Redd, who scrapped a 2025 holiday concert after Trump’s name was linked to the event. Palermo noted that Trump’s post on Truth Social seemed like an attempt to distance himself from the center, which he feels has been pushed toward financial ruin, with vital programs like the National Symphony Orchestra lacking proper funding. The interview explores the leadership changes at the Kennedy Center during Trump’s time and the persistent financial challenges it faces.