Whitehouse Demands Records, Accuses Ric Grenell of Mismanagement at the Kennedy Center — Grenell Denies Allegations

Washington — Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has publicly pressed Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell for detailed records, alleging serious financial mismanagement and favoritism after the appointment of several Trump allies to the institution’s leadership and President Trump’s selection as chairman of the board earlier this year.

Allegations and Whitehouse's Request

In a formal letter, Whitehouse wrote that under Grenell's stewardship, "the Center is being looted to the tune of millions of dollars in foregone revenue, cancelled programming, unpaid use of its facilities, and wasteful spending on luxury restaurants and hotels," calling the pattern "an unprecedented pattern of self-dealing, favoritism, and waste." His committee staff obtained records that he says raise questions about the center's financial and ethical practices and has requested a broad set of documents on financial management, contractor selection, reimbursement policies, and audit procedures.

Grenell's Response

Grenell posted a detailed reply on X, disputing the claims point by point. He said the Kennedy Center entered a period of excessive payroll spending and reliance on reserve funds, but that the institution now has a balanced budget "for the first time in decades." Grenell also disputed that shows were cancelled for reasons other than sound budgeting, saying he has implemented a break-even policy for programming: events must be supported by ticket revenue or a sponsor/donor covering the shortfall before they are confirmed.

"He attacked the Kennedy Center with outrageous claims. So we responded with the facts," Grenell wrote.

Key Disputes: FIFA, Contracts, and Expenses

Whitehouse singled out several specific concerns:

• Waived rental fees for FIFA’s 2026 World Cup draw, which will use the Kennedy Center from Nov. 24 through Dec. 12. Reporting suggested a rental fee in the neighborhood of $5 million was waived. Grenell responded that FIFA "has given us several million dollars, in addition to paying all of the expenses for this event in lieu of a rental fee."
• Allegations of "contracts for your personal friends," asking for details about contracts or expenditures that might have benefited people connected to the president or Kennedy Center leadership. Grenell named three individuals involved in multimedia, fundraising, and exhibit curation, and said the exhibit curator’s costs were fully donor-funded.
• Spending on food, beverages, and hospitality. Whitehouse cited more than $10,000 on private lunches, dinners and alcohol purchases unrelated to fundraising, including "champagne service." Grenell says those costs were tied to donor events and notes that the center recorded $9.3 million in fundraising expenses last year.
• Hotel charges. Whitehouse flagged roughly $27,000 billed between April and July for stays at the Watergate Hotel for "new hires and your associates." Grenell replied that short-term Watergate stays are customary for new employees given its proximity and noted Watergate-related expenses for 2024 totaled about $878,000.

Oversight Context

Whitehouse serves as the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which provides oversight of the Kennedy Center and authorizes federal funding. Because Democrats are in the Senate minority, Whitehouse can request documents but does not currently have subpoena power; that authority rests with Republican committee leadership. It is unclear whether Grenell will supply the requested records beyond his public social media response.

Financial Background and Next Steps

The Kennedy Center receives both federal and private funding; federal dollars support operations, security, maintenance, and capital repairs. The center received more than $40 million in federal funding last year. The dispute between Whitehouse and Grenell may prompt further committee inquiries depending on what records Grenell provides and whether Republicans choose to pursue subpoena authority.

Separately, President Trump is scheduled to host the upcoming Kennedy Center Honors broadcast, which recognizes lifetime achievement in the performing arts.