Trump ally Richard Grenell steps down as Kennedy Center president
Entertainment
Richard Grenell, a longtime Trump ally, has resigned as president of the Kennedy Center just months before the venue closes for a two-year renovation.
Trump announced Grenell's exit on March 13, calling it a "complete reconstruction" period for the center.
Grenell's controversial tenure at the center
Grenell's focus on financial changes over traditional arts support drew criticism from the arts community, and he cut ties with groups like the Washington National Opera.
His time in charge saw frequent staff departures and sparked a Senate investigation into alleged cronyism and money issues.
Despite this, Trump praised Grenell's efforts during tough times and named Matt Floca as the new chief operating officer to help lead the center through its big makeover.