President Donald Trump has named Richard Grenell, a close advisor who lived in the Coachella Valley for years, to lead the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts temporarily, according to a post on the social media platform Truth Social.

“Ric shares my Vision for a GOLDEN AGE of American Arts and Culture, and will be overseeing the daily operations of the Center,” Trump wrote. “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA — ONLY THE BEST. RIC, WELCOME TO SHOW BUSINESS!”

Ric Grenell takes over Kennedy Center board as several members terminated

On Friday, the president announced on Truth Social he would be leading the Kennedy Center board as chairman and decided to “immediately terminate multiple individuals” from its board of trustees, including the chairman, who he said did not share “our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein, who served as board chairman since 2010, was appointed to the Kennedy Center board by former President George W. Bush.

Grenell has been tapped for a number of positions during Trump’s two administrations. He is currently serving as presidential envoy for special missions. He was most recently in Venezuela, where he secured the release of six American citizens detained in the country after he met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas.

The former valley resident was previously the U.S. ambassador to Germany, where he sparked controversy for his contentious personality and management style, according to USA Today. The 58-year-old longtime GOP political operative was one of Trump’s most outspoken supporters during his first term inside the U.S. diplomatic corps.

He also served for a short period as Trump’s acting Director of National Intelligence in 2020, becoming the first openly gay cabinet member in American history, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His tenure caused strife given his lack of intelligence experience, USA Today reported.

Ric Grenell recently assessed Palisades and Eaton fire recovery efforts

The Hill reported that Grenell, federal and state officials were recently in Los Angeles to evaluate wildfire recovery efforts following devastation caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires in January.

Public records show that Grenell had a home in Rancho Mirage, which he sold in 2022. He now resides in Manhattan Beach.

USA Today contributed to this report.

(This story was updated to clarify a headline.)

Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @ema_sasic.