Trump’s War on the Arts

Since his return to office, President Donald Trump’s executive orders have been taking the world of art by storm, signaling a concerning shift. From slashing funding to implementing ideological driven mandates, his efforts represent more than just budgetary or aesthetic preferences—they present a threat to democratic ideals. In a democracy, the preservation of arts, culture, and humanities is necessary to ensure a free public. Democracy is essential to the flourishing of the arts because it fosters freedom of expression, diverse perspectives, and open dialogue. In democratic societies, artists are empowered to challenge norms and provoke thought without fear of censorship or persecution. This freedom not only nurtures creativity but also allows the arts to serve as a catalyst for social progress. By targeting artistic institutions, the Trump administration is purposefully eroding the cultural infrastructure that sustains our society. 

The National Endowment of Humanities (NEH) is the nation’s largest public funder of the humanities, which include history, philosophy, literature, language, and more. The Trump Administration has pushed for major funding slashes to the organization, claiming it is a waste of government spending. This includes a 70-80 percent staff reduction as well as cancelling any grants that were given during Biden’s presidency. Trump took action against this organization in his first term as well, prompting severe public protests. This impacts many art and culture organizations that receive funding from the NEH, since the NEH has been forced to cancel projects and end grant programs, such as those to PA Humanities, in order to redirect attention to Trump’s priorities. In Trump’s campaign against “woke America,” he mandated that the National Endowment of the Arts deny any grants for projects that “promote gender ideology,” purposely blocking support for and federally limiting LGBTQ+ artists.  A statement from the National Humanities Alliance states, “Cutting NEH funding directly harms communities in every state and contributes to the destruction of our shared cultural heritage.” 

Trump has not only targeted the visual arts; in early February, he purged all 18 Democratic appointees on the Board of the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and replaced them with his own allies. He was then unanimously elected the new President of the Kennedy Center, the national culture center located in D.C. The Center hosts a variety of performances, is a hub of arts education, supports new artists, and honors American culture through the arts. Conservatives have deemed the Kennedy Center as “too liberal,” as it showcased three drag shows last year. Since then, Trump has stated that he plans to implement various changes, as, in his words, the center is “woke and broke.” The Kennedy Center stopped showing Hamilton since Trump’s takeover, because, as he dismissively said, “I never liked Hamilton very much. I never liked it.”  Since Trump’s takeover, some artists no longer feel comfortable expressing themselves through their art at the Kennedy Center, with many performers cancelling their own shows out of protest. While board member and Trump ally Paolo Zampolli claims that the center has been and continues to be welcoming to all, many disagree. Among those who left the center, musician Ben Folds remarked, “There is an instinct, an authoritarian instinct, that is true in all authoritarian times in history: Take control of the culture, take control of the arts early on.” Claims like this have been circling around, with some going as far to say that Trump’s continuous censorship, not just in art, resembles that of a dictator. 

Trump also took action against the Brutalist design of some federal buildings, culminating in an executive order that sought to redefine the “aesthetic direction” of such buildings in the United States. This has been condemned by many, with organizations such as the American Institute of Architects claiming it is a threat to the freedom of expression and thought, which is a key component of a democracy. Brutalist architecture is a style that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by massive, monolithic forms and raw, exposed concrete. It often emphasizes function over form, with a stark, utilitarian aesthetic. In 2020, Trump criticized Brutalism as cold, unwelcoming, and “un-American” in appearance. The act, “Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture,” was created during his first term, and calls for exclusively traditional and classical architecture to be used for civic buildings. The order strongly criticizes modern architectural styles, calling such buildings “uninspiring” and “antagonistic to the American public.” It described Brutalist and Deconstructivist styles as alienating and out of touch with the values and traditions of American civic life. By mandating classical styles and dismissing modern ones like Brutalism, the order effectively stifled creative freedom and architectural innovation. Rather than encouraging dialogue and diversity in design, Trump seeks to enforce a nostalgic and narrow vision of what American identity should look like.

Due to Trump’s order to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the entire staff was placed on administrative leave in late March, labeling the institution as “unnecessary.” However, the IMLS provides crucial federal funding for library and museum grants, policy development, and research. Museums and libraries are far more than passive repositories of books and artifacts; they are active centers of learning, civic engagement, and social cohesion. They provide educational programming for children and adults alike, preserve local and national histories, and serve as inclusive spaces for dialogue and creativity. Furthermore, these institutions contribute significantly to local economies by creating jobs, driving tourism, and supporting surrounding businesses. Trump’s order puts these museums, particularly ones in rural communities that depend heavily on funding, and their workers at risk. Many art councils are standing against this action, stressing the value that museums and libraries add to American culture. As the debate continues, this action sets a precedent for how the federal government plans to value and protect art and culture as Trump’s term continues. 

Public funding for the arts being slashed limits access to arts education and cultural opportunities to those who can afford it, deepening inequality and stifling the development of informed, creative citizens. The arts teach us how to think critically, empathize with others, and question the world around us—all essential skills in a functioning democracy. Without these opportunities, especially for young people and marginalized communities, we risk cultivating a society that is less imaginative, less informed, and ultimately less free.

When the government suppresses artistic voices, rewrites cultural narratives, and defunds spaces for public learning and expression, it narrows the scope of civic participation and stifles dissent. Our communities thrive on expression and education, and the dismantling of this not only damages the art world, but acts as a dangerous step away from the governing style that America has long been used to. As America watches Trump’s plans unfold, we must ask ourselves: can democracy truly flourish in a nation where art is policed rather than protected?