A major US Senate investigation has been launched into allegations of widespread cronyism and financial mismanagement at Washington's prestigious John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, following its controversial takeover by allies of former President Donald Trump.
A 'Secular Temple' Under New Management
The saga began in February 2025, when Trump ousted members of the Kennedy Centre board appointed by his predecessor, Joe Biden. He installed himself as chairman and appointed his long-time ally, former ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, as its president. Critics have described the move as a textbook case of institutional capture.
The situation escalated dramatically on 18 December 2024. Just two hours after Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, speculated to the Guardian that Trump might seek to attach his name to the venue, the White House press secretary announced the board had voted unanimously to rename it. By the next day, workmen were affixing new lettering to the facade, revealing it as 'The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For the Performing Arts'. The Kennedy family condemned the renaming, noting it requires an act of Congress.
Allegations of a 'Slush Fund' and Preferential Treatment
In November, Senator Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, launched a formal probe. He alleges the national cultural centre is being operated as a 'slush fund and private club for Trump’s friends and political allies', leading to millions in losses.
'When the brigands took the ship, their first instinct was to loot it for their own benefit,' Whitehouse stated, describing a 'Maga party atmosphere' of hiring friends and granting favours.
The investigation centres on claims of preferential access for Trump-aligned groups. A key example is a contract granting world football governing body FIFA free, exclusive use of the entire campus for 18 days for a World Cup draw. Senator Whitehouse's estimates suggest this cost the Centre over $5 million in lost revenue and rescheduling costs. While Grenell and the Centre's PR team claim FIFA paid 'multimillions' and covered expenses, Whitehouse counters that no documentation substantiates this defence.
Contracts also reveal steep rental discounts for conservative organisations. NewsNation received a $19,820 discount for a town hall, and the American Conservative Union Foundation got a $21,982.60 discount for an event. The files noted these were 'waived costs from OOP' – the Office of the President.
Lucrative Contracts and Luxury Spending Under Scrutiny
The probe has uncovered questionable contracts. In April 2025, the Centre entered a $15,000-per-month deal with a former colleague of Grenell's from his time in Berlin, a contract the Senate letter calls 'devoid of any detail'. Another contract pays $10,833.33 per month to Jeff Halperin, the husband of Trump ally Kari Lake, for social media services.
Documents also detail significant luxury spending. Between April and July 2025, Grenell's team charged the Centre $27,185 for rooms at the upmarket Watergate Hotel. A further $10,773.19 was spent on private lunches, dinners, and alcohol, with receipts showing charges for champagne service and multi-bottle wine orders.
Grenell has fired back, accusing Whitehouse of 'partisan attacks' and claiming the previous leadership left the Centre in 'financial chaos'. He insists his team is turning its fortunes around. Whitehouse dismisses this, stating there is 'very little reason to believe that version of events is supported by facts'.
A Broader Cultural Battle
The Kennedy Centre controversy is seen as part of a wider 'culture war' push in a potential second Trump term, which includes plans for a triumphal arch in Washington and threats to withhold federal funds from Smithsonian museums unless they submit to content reviews.
Senator Whitehouse remains undeterred, vowing to continue his investigation. 'We’re going to continue to dig away until we’re sure that we understand the depths of the problem,' he said, framing it as a fundamental issue of misusing public goods. The Senate EPW committee's work continues as the newly renamed Centre faces public protest and intense scrutiny.
