Matt Floca to lead Trump Kennedy Center as Richard Grenell exits after controversial year

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump announced a leadership change at the Trump Kennedy Center on March 13, Friday afternoon, revealing that Matt Floca will replace Ric Grenell as president of the performing arts institution.

The update which was shared through a post on Truth Social, comes as the center prepares to suspend its entertainment operations and begin a large-scale renovation project expected to last roughly two years.

The formal announcement is expected to take place Monday when the Trump Kennedy Center’s board meets to officially pause programming and begin construction preparations.

Donald Trump appoints Matt Floca as Trump Kennedy Center president

Floca currently serves as vice president of facilities operations at the Trump Kennedy Center and has been closely involved in the center’s infrastructure and operational planning.

Trump highlighted Floca’s role in improving the facility and said he believes the move will help guide the center through its upcoming transformation.

“As Vice President of Operations, Matt has helped us achieve tremendous progress in bringing the Center to the highest level of Excellence!” Trump wrote in his social media post announcing the appointment.

He also outlined the broader vision behind the decision.

“A Complete Reconstruction of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will begin after the July 4th Celebration,” Trump added.

The president framed the change in leadership as part of a strategy to prepare the organization for the massive construction work ahead.

Ric Grenell steps down as Trump Kennedy Center shifts focus

Grenell, who has a background in foreign policy, took control of the center in February 2025 while also serving in his role as a special envoy.

According to a source familiar with his thinking, the leadership transition reflects the new priorities facing the organization.

The source explained that the center is preparing to transform into what will essentially be a construction site as the renovation begins.

“I mean, the whole thing is turning into a construction zone,” the source said. “It’s going to be a construction zone, and [Ric is] not a construction guy.”

Because of that shift, the source suggested the change was consistent with the plans Trump had already outlined earlier this year.

The president had previously indicated that entertainment activities at the venue would be paused so the renovation could move forward as quickly as possible.

Donald Trump plans two-year shutdown for major reconstruction

Trump first hinted at the upcoming shutdown in a post shared on Truth Social at the beginning of February.

“I have determined that the fastest way to bring the Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of success, beauty and grandeur is to cease entertainment operations for an approximately two-year period of time,” Trump wrote at the time.

The renovation is expected to be one of the largest construction efforts in the center’s history.

According to figures approved by Congress, the project will cost roughly $257 million.

Funding for the reconstruction was included in Trump’s signature legislation, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was passed last year.

Once the work begins, the center will largely shift its focus away from performances and toward rebuilding and modernization efforts.

Donald Trump praises Ric Grenell’s role during transition

Even as the leadership shift takes place, Trump made it clear that he appreciated the role Grenell played during the early phase of the transition.

In his announcement, the president publicly thanked Grenell for helping guide the organization during the initial planning period.

“Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done,” Trump wrote.

Grenell has not publicly shared what his next role will be following the leadership change.