President Donald Trump has named Matt Floca, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of operations for the last two years, as the institution’s chief operating officer and executive director, according to a Truth Social post from the president Friday.
Floca replaces Richard Grenell, who Trump made president last year. Grenell oversaw controversial moves during his tenure, including renaming the institution the Donald J. Trump Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a change that’s being challenged in court.
Trump is said to be unhappy with the way Grenell has handled the media aspect of his job, according to news reports.
“The president had become frustrated with a slew of negative headlines about his revamp of the arts institution,” CNN reported. “One source familiar with the White House view said that the president liked Grenell, but felt that he had fumbled when it came to his leadership of the Kennedy Center, including on managing the publicity.”
Floca’s appointment comes as the institution is set to close for what Trump has said will be a two-year remodeling project. “THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will be, at its completion, the finest facility of its kind anywhere in the World!” the president said in his post.
Congress authorized $257 million for the Kennedy Center in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for capital repair, restoration, maintenance backlog, and security structures over a two-year period.
Critics say Trump is closing the facility for the remodeling project in part to cover a drop in ticket sales since the president replaced the board with loyalists, named himself chairman and revamped programming. Over the last year, revenue from ticket sales has dropped more than 40%, according to a Washington Post report, while performances have been cancelled by artists and arts groups, including the Washington National Opera, which cancelled the residency it’s had at the center since 1971
Floca brings a construction management background to the job, according to a Kennedy Center press release from 2024 when Floca was named facilities chief.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from Louisiana State University. Prior to his joining the Kennedy Center, he was associate director of sustainability and energy and director of facilities management at the District of Columbia government.
Floca has “an appreciation for whole building design principles,” the press release says. “His devotion to improving properties across the District of Columbia's portfolio of public buildings has resulted in a comprehensive understanding of the built environment and efficient building management practices. His knowledge spans all facets of the real estate industry, from development and planning to management and maintenance. With this collective experience, Matt effectively and efficiently manages buildings of all types and complexities,” the Kennedy Center said at the time.
Axios reports that Trump has been communicating with him regularly about the remodeling project.
“Trump has taken a liking to Floca” and has been calling him directly to discuss his vision for the renovation, including specific preferences on “paint color, seating, and the addition of marble throughout the building,” Axios reported.
The Kennedy Center board was scheduled to vote on the appointment today. The organization’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
