Ben Folds on Resigning from Kennedy Center Over Trump's 'Takeover'

Artistic Freedom and Political Interference

• 🎨 Ben Folds resigned from his role as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the Kennedy Center due to President Trump's controversial takeover.
• 🏛️ Folds stated that the Kennedy Center, intended for the people, became partisan, and his continued presence would imply complicit support.
• 🎭 The takeover involved Trump replacing board members and firing the former president, leading to artists like those from "Hamilton" and Issa Rae canceling shows.

Justification for the Takeover

• 🗣️ Richard Grenell, the center's new interim president, argued that previous programming was unprofitable, partisan, and failed to appeal to the masses, calling it "woke propaganda."
• 🚫 Folds refuted this, calling it a lie and emphasizing that while no single program speaks to everyone, the Kennedy Center should reflect the diversity of America.

The Importance of Arts and Culture

• ✊ Folds believes authoritarian movements often seek to control or stifle arts and culture because they are a source of message and power.
• 🌟 He advocates for institutions like the Kennedy Center to allow people to see themselves reflected on stage, whether through conducting, dancing, or speaking.

Artistic Expression and Future Endeavors

• 🎶 Before his departure, Folds recorded a live album with the NSO, aiming to encourage more album production from the orchestra.
• 💡 He wrote a song, "But Wait, There's More," in 2021 reflecting on how events were becoming increasingly strange and desensitizing.
• 🎤 Folds sees the main role of artists as being expressive and honest, and while sad to leave the NSO, he plans to continue supporting the arts in the private sector.