The Six-Day TenureThe Kennedy Center’s administration, led by Trump-appointed President Richard Grenell, had initially framed Couch’s hiring as a masterstroke. Workmen were seen in late December 2025 installing the new metal lettering: The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The “Trump takeover” has triggered a cascade of show cancellations that threaten the Center’s financial viability. Fleming, who resigned her advisor role in early 2025, cited “scheduling conflicts,” though insiders view her exit as a silent protest. According to The Washington Post, ticket sales for major venues like the Opera House and the Eisenhower Theater have nosedived.