Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter, brought on by Rubenstein in 2014, resigned soon after the board shake-up. Trump replaced her, on an interim basis, with diplomat Richard Grenell, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany during the president's first term.

What will a thin-skinned showman do with an institution central to Washington’s cultural life? One expectation is more country music.

After mostly steering clear of the national cultural center during his first term, Trump has moved quickly to take control as he returns to office.