Broadway actress Patti LuPone ignited a firestorm of backlash this week after she declared the Trump-led Kennedy Center “should get blown up,” reacting to sweeping changes made by President Donald Trump to the nation’s premier performing arts venue.
Trump, who assumed control of the Kennedy Center earlier this year, announced via Truth Social that his administration would remove board members who did not share his vision for a “Golden Age in arts and culture.” The former president vowed to “make the performing arts center great again” by ending controversial programming, specifically calling out drag shows that he said were “targeting” children.
Trump’s leadership overhaul included the removal of long-serving officials and the appointment of former U.S. Ambassador Richard Grenell as interim president. These moves sparked protests across the arts community, with several artists resigning from roles or canceling upcoming performances in defiance.
Among the most vocal critics is LuPone, 76, a longtime opponent of Trump. In comments made to The New Yorker, LuPone blasted the changes: “She told me, more than once, that the Trumpified Kennedy Center ‘should get blown up,’” reported journalist Michael Schulman.
LuPone, known for her sharp political commentary, also added that she wished the Trump administration would “leave New York alone.” She previously said she would consider moving to Ireland if Trump won reelection in 2020 and famously declared in 2017 that she would not perform for him “because I hate the mother [expletive].”
The White House and Kennedy Center officials swiftly condemned her remarks. Richard Grenell responded in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, “The far left has morphed into violent extremists. This is completely unacceptable – from the same people who claim to be for tolerance and diversity. Everyone should condemn these radicals.”
White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly defended the administration’s actions, stating, “President Trump cares deeply about American arts and culture, which is why he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to their former greatness.”
LuPone did not respond to requests from Fox News Digital for comment.
