The Kennedy Center is making adjustments to its programming after President Donald Trump was confirmed as chairman. The President has had a lot to say about the Kennedy Center, criticizing it for its “woke” performances. “The programming was out of control with rampant political propaganda, DEI, and inappropriate shows,” he said, claiming the Kennedy Center had featured a “lesbian-only Shakespeare” performance and another that was “Marxist anti-police.” He also criticized how the Center appeared to be spending “tremendous amounts of money.” “I don’t know where they spent it. They certainly didn’t spend it on wallpaper, carpet, or painting,” he said.

Under Trump’s leadership, the Kennedy Center appears to be moving in a more family-friendly and faith-based direction, with a planned screening of Angel Studios’s “King of Kings” set to play on June 1. Richard Grenell, whom the President has named as the Kennedy Center’s interim director, praised the film. “When I saw the advertising campaign for ‘King of Kings’ I immediately knew we needed to have it come to the Kennedy Center. And then coincidentally, I was asked to be on a panel with the CEO of Angel Studios, so I cornered him,” said Grenell. “This is family-friendly programming that we will be doing more of in the future.”

Angel Studios praised the move as well, lauding the film’s theatrical success, which earned $19.3 million at the box office. “The King of Kings has become the most successful theatrically released faith-based animated film in history. But its greatest achievement is in the hearts it’s moved—and its screening at the Kennedy Center is a symbol of just how far truth and light can travel,” said David Fischer, Head of Acquisitions & Business Affairs at Angel Studios. The studio had another major success in 2023 with its film “Sound of Freedom,” starring Jim Caviezel. The film explored the harsh realities of child trafficking and went on to earn $250 million.

The Kennedy Center will still show more grown-up entertainment, with its upcoming Broadway shows including the irreverent “Spamalot” and the musical “Chicago.” Grenell also announced that the Stuttgart Ballet would be returning to the Kennedy Center after a 30 year hiatus. This year’s ballet will be John Cranko’s Onegin, based on Alexander Pushkin’s 1825 novel. Jane Raleigh, Director of Dance Programming for The Kennedy Center, praised the ballet company’s return. “The Stuttgart Ballet and John Cranko’s Onegin were a staple of Kennedy Center ballet programming in the 1970’s and 80’s,” she stated. “The timeless relevance of Cranko’s choreography and Pushkin’s storytelling made this ballet an instant classic, and to be able to welcome this glorious company back to the Center decades later, especially as the work celebrates its 60th anniversary, is such a special moment for Washington audiences.”