Ben Folds Rails Against Trump’s Kennedy Center Takeover Before Congress: ‘When You Politicize Art, It Becomes Propaganda’

During a congressional forum held this past Tuesday (July 21), musician Ben Folds offered pointed testimony regarding the controversial transformation of the Kennedy Center. The hearing, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), aimed to scrutinize various “vanity projects” associated with Donald Trump, specifically the sweeping 2025 overhaul of the historic cultural institution.

Folds, who previously served as an artistic advisor for the National Symphony Orchestra, described a shift toward a “hyper-politicized environment” following Trump’s decision to dismiss existing board members and assume the role of chairman in early 2025. According to Folds, the atmosphere at the center changed dramatically under this new leadership.

“I never encountered political interference during my time at the center,” Folds remarked, reflecting on his tenure prior to the restructuring. He emphasized that the organization’s mandate—to foster education and artistic expression for all citizens—was once strictly decoupled from partisan agendas. He cautioned that once art becomes a tool for political posturing, it effectively devolves into propaganda.

The singer-songwriter further elaborated on the professional strain caused by these changes. He noted that artists now face the difficult dilemma of having their participation perceived as either a tacit endorsement or a public protest of the administration. Folds ultimately cited a lack of confidence in the center’s ability to protect performers from potential retaliation as his primary reason for resigning.

The testimony also touched upon the September incident involving Yasmin Levy, whose performance was marred by orchestrated heckling after she publicly challenged the board’s new programming and diversity directives. Folds lamented that these actions undermined the Kennedy Center’s core mission and business integrity, urging lawmakers to address these systemic issues.

The hearing served as a broader investigation into federal spending on various projects, including renovations at the White House and modifications to the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool. Folds concluded his statement by expressing hope that his message would reach those who were absent from the proceedings.

Folds stepped down from his advisory position in February 2025, a period marked by widespread industry pushback and concert cancellations at the venue. Notably, a federal judge recently barred the inclusion of Trump’s name in the center’s title, mandating the removal of related signage.