Ben Folds announced his resignation from his position as artistic director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) on February 12, following President Donald Trump’s election as chair of the Kennedy Center. Folds, 58, cited the recent changes at the Kennedy Center as the primary reason for his decision.
In a statement shared on Instagram, he said, “Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me.” He expressed gratitude for his eight years working alongside Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter and artistic advisor Renee Fleming, adding, “Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra.”
The resignation comes amid a major shift in the Kennedy Center’s leadership, including the firing of Rutter and the appointment of Trump, 78, as the new chair. Trump’s announcement of his plans for the institution has sparked controversy, with statements made on Truth Social about making the Kennedy Center “great again” and his actions to reshape the board of trustees.
The Kennedy Center has responded to these changes, asserting that the appointment of the board chair is governed by its own board, not the White House. Trump’s vision for the cultural center includes a move away from what he terms “woke” shows, claiming that some performances have been “terrible” and not worth attending.
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