Tag Archives: Richard Grenell

The New York Times reports: Richard Grenell, whom President Trump installed as the president of the Kennedy Center, claimed Monday night that the center’s deferred maintenance and its deficit — two things commonly found at nonprofit arts organizations — were “criminal.” He said he would refer the matter to federal prosecutors. Speaking to Mr. Trump and a group of board …

Mediaite reports: Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate were permitted to leave Romania not long after Trump envoy Ric Grennell broached the case in discussions with Romanian officials. The MAGA influencer earned effusive and starstruck praise from top Trump adviser and attorney Alina Habba prior to his release. This week, a Tate-affiliated X/Twitter account posted a hype video in …

“Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed. In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire — and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience. …

“Shame on you, American Idol. Inviting Lin Manuel to be a mentor to young people 3 weeks after Lin pulled his show from the Kennedy Center because he can’t work with Republicans is an obvious move to support political intolerance. We need performers who perform for everyone. Not radicals who litmus test the audience’s voting history. Dumb move, ABC.” – …

The Associated Press reports: Organizers and the Kennedy Center have canceled a week’s worth of events celebrating LGBTQ+ rights for this summer’s World Pride festival in Washington, D.C. The events at the center had been planned for June 5 to 8. Multiple artists and producers involved in the center’s Tapestry of Pride schedule told The Associated Press that their events …

NOTUS reports: After Rep. Jamie Raskin asked about the Trump administration’s role in bringing to the United States Andrew and Tristan Tate — who were both on house arrest in Romania while awaiting trial on human trafficking charges — Grenell called a Judiciary staffer on Thursday from an unknown number. Grenell, who did not dispute that he called the staffer, …

Bernardo Sim reports at Out Magazine: Playwright, actor, and live performer Harvey Fierstein revealed that he’s been banned from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. — otherwise known as the Kennedy Center — through a new statement in which the theater legend criticized President Donald Trump’s takeover of the national cultural center and issued …

“This video should challenge us all to commit to making the Kennedy Center a place where everyone is welcomed. It troubles me to see that so many in the audience appear to be white and intolerant of diverse political views. Diversity is our strength. We must do better. We must welcome EVERYONE. We will not allow the Kennedy Center to be …

“Lin Manuel said, ‘I don’t want Republicans coming here. I don’t want to be in a place where Republicans are coming to my shows.’ I think that’s intolerant. And that’s one of the things that Donald Trump has really brought back – into Washington, into America, into the Kennedy Center – is to say everyone is welcome. We’re not gonna …

“Let’s be clear on the facts. [Jeffrey] Seller and Lin Manuel first went to the New York Times before they came to the Kennedy Center with their announcement that they can’t be in the same room with Republicans. This is a publicity stunt that will backfire. The Arts are for everyone – not just for the people who Lin likes …

CBS News reports: Self-proclaimed misogynist social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been allowed to leave Romania on a private jet bound for the U.S. despite facing rape and human trafficking charges that are still pending. Citing sources in Romania, outlets said the Tates, who are dual U.S.-British nationals, were flying to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Financial …

The Washington Post reports: In the Truth Social post announcing his intentions to take over the storied arts institution, Trump had promised to make the center “GREAT AGAIN,” adding, “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation.” The implication was clear: The performers previously booked at the …

Politico reports: Trump’s special envoy Richard Grenell said there will be strings attached to California wildfire aid. “As a Californian I’m all for it,” Grenell said during a conversation with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns at CPAC on Friday. Grenell said the administration is talking about what these conditions will be. He floated the idea of targeting the California Coastal Commission, which …

“The J6-ers are here at CPAC! [Standing ovation.] From the medium-high to high-security prisons! And lemme tell you something else. I’m talking to Ambassador Ric Grenell and the J6 Choir is gonna play the Kennedy Center! [Audience roars.] Honor their families! And in fact, I got an idea, the night that they play and opens the new Kennedy Center – …

GScene Magazine reports: A performance from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington DC on May 21 has been pulled from the program of events at the Kennedy Center. The Gay Men’s Chorus was set to perform at this year’s World Pride Washington DC, which brings together a program of events to “celebrate, educate, support and inspire”. Writing on social media, Jeffrey …

Newsweek reports: The Trump administration has urged Romanian authorities to lift travel restrictions on influencer Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan Tate, as they await trial on charges including human trafficking, sexual misconduct, and money laundering, according to a report by the Financial Times. The 37-year-old is currently under house arrest in Romania and is awaiting trial on human trafficking …

Politico reports: One of President Donald Trump’s top aides said Friday that if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race for California governor, he might too. “If Kamala Harris runs for governor, I believe that she has such baggage and hundreds of millions of dollars in educating the voters of how terrible she is, that it’s a new day …

Mediaite reports: Presidential Envoy for Special Missions Richard Grenell accused Voice of America’s White House Bureau Chief Steve Herman of acting in a “treasonous” way for posting a quote critical of the Trump administration while reporting on recent lawsuits being filed against the Trump administration following the shuttering of USAID over the weekend. As part of that reporting, Herman spoke …

“I am pleased to announce that Ric Grenell will serve as the Interim Executive Director of The Kennedy Center. Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center. NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!” – …

NPR reports: President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he’s picked longtime foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell to serve as an envoy for special missions, tasking him with helping the incoming administration deal with some of the toughest foreign policy challenges. Grenell during Trump’s first term developed a reputation for employing a sometimes contentious approach to diplomacy that rankled allies and …