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Ben Folds is resigning as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra in light of the events at the Kennedy Center, including the departure of the president and Trump‘s decision to lead the arts institution.
In a post on Instagram Wednesday, the singer-songwriter and former frontman of Ben Folds Five said “Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me.” His resignation follows President Trump’s statement that he would fire multiple board members at the Kennedy Center, including chairman David M. Rubenstein, and planned to install himself as chair.
On Wednesday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had been elected chair of the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Deborah F. Rutter, who had been the Kennedy Center’s third president, serving in the position since 2014, released a statement that said she had also left the institution. Rutter had previously announced plans to step down at the end of 2025.
“The goal of the Kennedy Center has been to live up to our namesake, serving as a beacon for the world and ensuring our work reflects America. I depart my position proud of all we accomplished to meet that ambition. From the art on our stages to the students we have impacted in classrooms across America, everything we have done at the Kennedy Center has been about uplifting the human spirit in service of strengthening the culture of our great nation,” Rutter said in a statement.
On Monday, Trump had posted on social media that he would appoint Richard Grenell, formerly Trump’s ambassador to Germany, as interim executive director, saying that he “shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture” and would make sure there was no more “ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA.”
The Kennedy Center oversees the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Washington National Opera, in addition to presenting theatrical shows, the Kennedy Center Honors and more.
“It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, NSO artistic administrator Justin Ellis, and the entire NSO staff, encouraging thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate the symphonic music. Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra – just the best!” Fold’s post continued.
Following Trump’s announcement, the Kennedy Center issued a statement Friday saying they had “received no official communications from the White House regarding changes to our board of trustees. We are aware that some members of our board have received termination notices from the administration.”
As The New York Times reported, 18 board members, all of whom had been appointed by President Biden, and Rubsenstein’s name have been removed from the center’s website.
