August 11, 2026
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Composer publishes ‘absolutely insane’ emails from Kennedy Center chief

Composer publishes ‘absolutely insane’ emails from Kennedy Center chief

A Virginia guitarist and composer, Yasmin Williams, reached out politely to interim KenCen chief Richard Grenell for guidance on changes to artist bookings under the Trump administration. The responses she received were off-the-scale personal and aggressive.

Williams, 27, saw no reason to keep them private. Among other assertions, Grenell said he had ‘cut the DEI bullshit because ‘we can’t afford to pay people for fringe and niche programming that the public won’t support.’

According to press reports today, Grenell is first in line to by the next US ambassador at the United Nations.

 

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The post Composer publishes ‘absolutely insane’ emails from Kennedy Center chief appeared first on Slippedisc.

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