Kennedy Center President and Interim Executive Director Richard Grenell has publicly refuted an Associated Press (AP) report alleging that the venue canceled a week’s worth of Pride-related events. Grenell asserted that no events were canceled by the Kennedy Center, emphasizing that organizers independently chose to relocate their programs.
In a statement shared on social media, Grenell declared, “We didn’t cancel a single show at the Kennedy Center. We simply ask that shows don’t lose money and leave us with the bill.” He criticized the AP for disseminating false information and highlighted that The Advocate, which initially echoed the AP’s claims, later corrected its reporting to reflect that event organizers themselves decided to move their events due to perceived inhospitable conditions at the venue.
The Capital Pride Alliance, responsible for organizing the affected events, confirmed the decision to relocate. Executive Director Ryan Bos cited restrictions on official drag programming as a primary reason, stating, “We would not be allowed to have any official drag programming. That defeats the purpose of Pride — in terms of creating a welcoming and safe environment for anybody to feel comfortable being their true, authentic self.”
The AP’s April 25 article claimed that both organizers and the Kennedy Center canceled the events, a narrative now challenged by both Grenell and the Capital Pride Alliance. As of this writing, the AP has not issued a correction or retraction.
This controversy arises amid significant leadership changes at the Kennedy Center. In February 2025, President Donald Trump appointed himself as chairman and installed Grenell as interim executive director. Subsequently, the center has undergone a strategic shift, focusing on financially sustainable programming and reducing events that do not align with its revised mission.
