Singer Ben Folds appeared before Congress on Tuesday to describe the impact of Donald Trump’s 2025 takeover of the Kennedy Center. He said the move turned the venue into a politicized space and forced his resignation as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra.
Folds spoke at a congressional forum focused on what organizers called Trump’s “vanity projects.” The hearing was led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
He recalled that the Kennedy Center stayed free of political discussion until Trump removed board members and named himself chairman in February 2025. After that change, Folds said artists faced pressure to treat invitations as endorsements or protests.
Folds also described concerns for performer safety and referenced an incident involving singer Yasmin Levy in September. He resigned his post shortly after the board changes.
A federal judge ruled in May that Trump could not add his name to the center’s title. Other witnesses at the forum discussed spending on White House renovations and monuments in Washington.
