Ben Folds Testifies Before Congress About Trump’s Kennedy Center Takeover

Since resigning as the National Symphony Orchestra's Artistic Advisor over Donald Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center, Ben Folds has continued to advocate for the federal arts institution, which he says is in trouble. Yesterday, he testified before a bicameral congressional forum and argued that the president's overhaul has undermined the Center.

Folds spoke for five and a half minutes, describing how the non-profit had long been an apolitical organization before Trump removed board members, became chairman, and installed allies who reshaped the venue's programming. "I think most of us understand that when you politicize art, you've got propaganda," Folds said. He also recounted the incident last September when fingerstyle guitarist Yasmin Williams was heckled by an organized group of Republicans after questioning changes at the Center. Folds concluded, "The takeover hobbled the Kennedy Center, broke its once-proven successful business model, and disrespected its original core mission."

Tuesday’s hearing, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), was titled "Monumental Waste: How Donald Trump Is Spending Millions Destroying American Landmarks."

Since resigning as the National Symphony Orchestra’s Artistic Advisor over Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, Ben Folds has continued to advocate for the federal arts institution, which he says is in trouble. Yesterday, he testified before a bicameral congressional forum and described how the president’s overhaul has undermined the Center. Folds explained how the non-profit had long been an apolitical organization before Trump removed board members, became chairman, and installed allies who reshaped the venue’s programming. “I think most of us understand that when you politicize art, you’ve got propaganda,” Folds said. He also recounted the incident last September when performer Yasmin Williams was heckled by an organized group of Republicans after questioning changes at the Center. Folds concluded, “The takeover hobbled the Kennedy Center, broke its once-proven successful business model and disrespected its original core mission.” Tuesday’s hearing, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), was titled “Monumental Waste: How Donald Trump Is Spending Millions Destroying American Landmarks.”

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