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Kennedy Center's Grenell Faces Backlash Over Fundraising Threats

4/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Josef Palermo, Kennedy Center's former chief, says Richard Grenell, the center's acting director, threatened to rename the Israeli lounge unless donors boosted funding during the October 7 Hamas attacks event.
Palermo called the fundraising tactic inappropriate and mortifying.
The Kennedy Center is now rebranded as the Trump Kennedy Center, and Circles Lounge becomes the SyberJet Lounge.
Palermo criticized Grenell's management and arts inexperience, noting months of trouble before his departure.

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Story summary

Josef Palermo, Kennedy Center's former chief, says Richard Grenell, the center's acting director, threatened to rename the Israeli lounge unless donors boosted funding during the October 7 Hamas attacks event.
Palermo called the fundraising tactic inappropriate and mortifying.
The Kennedy Center is now rebranded as the Trump Kennedy Center, and Circles Lounge becomes the SyberJet Lounge.
Palermo criticized Grenell's management and arts inexperience, noting months of trouble before his departure.