Who is Ric Grenell? Kennedy Center director slams Broadway musical Hamilton producers over cancelled performance

Ric Grenell, who is the interim executive director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, recently accused 'Hamilton' producers of directing a 'publicity stunt'. The politician also accused them of intolerance against republicans as they held a show in Washington D.C.

The director of the show, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and producer Jeffrey Seller, announced that the decision to cancel the upcoming shows at the Kennedy Center of Arts has been taken because President Donald Trump decided to remove many members of the directing board in the arts institution, including its former chairperson.

Grenell took to X (Twitter) and expressed that the performers went to New York but did not come to Washington D.C.

Grenell emphasized the fact that art is for everyone and not just for people who the directors and producers prefer. He accused Miranda of not being tolerant of people who don't share the same political opinions as her and that the makers of the show do not want Republicans to watch it.

There was no immediate response to the tweet by Miranda.

The musical 'Hamilton' revolves around the chronicles of Alexander Hamilton and has won many prestigious awards like the Tony Award. The musical was all set for its third run at the Kennedy Arts Center from March 2026.

In an interview with the New York Times, Miranda responded and said that this is not the spirit of Kennedy Arts Center and the group will not be a part of it.

Seller also responded separately on X saying that he could not be a part of this culture.

“In recent weeks we have sadly seen decades of Kennedy Center neutrality be destroyed,” he wrote. “The recent purge by the Trump Administration of both professional staff and performing arts events at or originally produced by the Kennedy Center flies in the face of everything this national cultural center represents.”

The new Kennedy Centre will usher 'A Golden Age in Arts and Culture' according to the President.

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About Ric Grenell

Ric Grenell is the first openly gay leader to become the Acting Director of National Intelligence. He served in the position for a short while in 2020. A vocal supporter of President Trump's ideologies and campaigns, Grenell has served the country for years and in different departments. The 58-year-old has acted as America's ambassador to Germany and also served as America's envoy on special missions.

He was also one of the officers sent to Venezuela for securing the release of Americans. In an announcement last month, President Trump has made Grenell to lead the Kennedy Arts Centre temporarily. The President took to social media to express his vision of promoting arts and culture.

According to the Hill, Grenell was one of the officers sent to Los Angeles for evacuation after destruction caused by wildfires in Palisades and Eaton recently.