Trump’s Kennedy Center Head Throws Fit at Lin-Manuel Miranda and American Idol
Ric Grenell’s new gripe was about “American Idol” bringing Miranda into the fold.
Reuters
The Trump-backed interim president of the Kennedy Center lashed out at ABC on Tuesday for the grave crime of including Lin-Manuel Miranda in American Idol.
Ric Grenell complained after Monday’s episode revealed that Miranda, who has declined to perform at the venue after its Trump-led makeover, will be mentoring contestants in the lead-up to the Season 23 finale later this month.
“Shame on you, @AmericanIdol. Inviting @Lin_Manuel to be a mentor to young people 3 weeks after Lin pulled his show from the Kennedy Center because he can’t work with Republicans is an obvious move to support political intolerance,“ Grenell wrote on X.
“We need performers who perform for everyone. Not radicals who litmus test the audience’s voting history. Dumb move,” he added, tagging ABC and Federal Communications Chairman Brendan Carr, the administration’s apparent go-to man for acts of retribution against the press.
Shame on you, @AmericanIdol.
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) May 6, 2025
Inviting @Lin_Manuel to be a mentor to young people 3 weeks after Lin pulled his show from the Kennedy Center because he can’t work with Republicans is an obvious move to support political intolerance.
We need performers who perform for everyone.…
It’s unclear what Carr could possibly do about ABC incorporating Miranda into one of its shows.
In February, Donald Trump appointed Grenell to his post as part of the president’s right-wing overhaul of the iconic performing arts center. Trump also made himself chairman.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Several artists subsequently pulled out of planned performances, or otherwise pledged to not perform. Among them was Miranda and Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller, who canceled a performance of the Broadway musical to protest Trump’s takeover.
Get excited! 🎉 Disney Icon, @Lin_Manuel is mentoring the #AmericanIdol finalists for our 2-night Disney Celebration! Don't miss a moment of the magic starting SUNDAY. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/C6e6j4F92x
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) May 6, 2025
Grenell flipped out then too, calling their decision a “publicity stunt that will backfire.”
Miranda explained an interview then that the venue “is not the Kennedy Center as we knew it.”
“The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center,” he said. “We’re just not going to be part of it.”
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Unlock a year of full access to The Looker and The Daily Beast for $35.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Looker and The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
Sign in
Login dialog