Kennedy Center director tells musician ‘don’t be gullible’ over DEI concerns

• Guitarist Yasmin Williams emailed the Kennedy Center’s interim director, Richard Grenell, with concerns about diversity cuts and canceled performances, sparking a viral exchange. Grenell’s responses, shared by Williams, included accusations against artists unwilling to perform for Republican audiences.
• Grenell cited financial struggles in defending cuts to the center’s DEI initiatives and high salaries, while Williams expressed doubts about the Kennedy Center’s future under its current leadership.
• Since Trump’s appointment as chairman, several progressive artists, including Issa Rae and Lin-Manuel Miranda, have boycotted the institution, fueling a broader backlash.

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A musician’s email to the Kennedy Center’s interim director has sparked a viral controversy. At the center of it: concerns over diversity, canceled performances, and a heated email exchange that’s raising eyebrows across the arts community.

Musician questions changes at the Kennedy Center

Guitarist Yasmin Williams emailed Richard Grenell, interim director of the Kennedy Center, with questions about recent changes at the institution. The exchange—which Williams shared on her Instagram—quickly went viral across multiple social media platforms.

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In her message, Williams cited news coverage that suggested the center was rolling back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Williams asked if President Donald Trump, who appointed himself as chairman in February, was concerned about artists pulling out of shows. She also questioned whether the center had changed its hiring, booking or staffing practices.

Her outreach followed reports about the removal of the Kennedy Center’s social impact team and cancellations of certain shows. In her email, Williams acknowledged the conflicting nature of media coverage and sought clarity directly from Grenell.

Grenell responds with political rhetoric

Grenell replied to Williams’ concerns with a pointed question:

“Let me ask you a question, would you play for Republicans or would you boycott if Republicans came to your show?”

Williams responded, saying she has performed in hundreds of shows and likely played for Republicans before. She then asked how that related to her original questions.

Grenell’s follow-up email blamed recent cancellations on artists unwilling to perform for Republican audiences.

“Every single person who cancelled a show did so because they couldn’t be in the presence of Republicans,” he wrote. “We didn’t fire a single show. We don’t cancel a single show… Don’t be gullible.”

He added, “Your people also booed and harassed the vice president who simply wanted to enjoy music with his wife for a night. Who is the intolerant one?”

Last month, Vice President JD Vance was booed while entering the Kennedy Center concert hall.

DEI cuts and artist reactions fuel backlash

As the exchange escalated, Williams reiterated her initial concerns. Grenell responded again, saying:

“Yes, I cut the DEI bull—t because we can’t afford to pay people for fringe and niche programming that the public won’t support. Yes, I cut the people making over $500k a year because we are in debt.”

In an interview with Pitchfork, Williams said she hadn’t expected a reply. The entire exchange occurred around 11 p.m., making the responses’ tone and content even more shocking to her.

She told the outlet, “I just hope [the Kennedy Center] still exists. That’s the bare minimum, but, at this point, I don’t even know if the building will exist after this presidency is over. If it does, will it still be an arts center? I’m not super convinced.”

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Political appointments and artistic fallout

Since Trump took over the Kennedy Center’s board, several progressive figures have stepped away. Actor Issa Rae and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda canceled appearances, joining other artists boycotting the institution.

The board now includes more conservative voices, such as Second Lady Usha Vance and Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

Sources told CBS News that Trump intends to reshape the Kennedy Center’s performances and leadership in order to move away from what he sees as “woke culture.”

Straight Arrow News has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment on the email exchange.