- John Lithgow calls Trump’s second presidency a ‘pure disaster’ for US arts.
- He highlights the controversial takeover of the Kennedy Center.
- Lithgow won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his role in ‘Giant’.
- He expresses concern over the state of the arts in America.
- Lithgow remains hopeful, stating that ‘bad times create good art’.
John Lithgow Slams Trump’s Second Term as ‘Disaster’ for US Arts
Renowned actor John Lithgow has openly criticized Donald Trump’s second presidency, labeling it a ‘pure disaster’ for the arts in the United States. Speaking after his Best Actor win at the Olivier Awards in London, Lithgow specifically pointed to Trump’s controversial takeover of the Kennedy Center, a prestigious cultural institution in Washington, D.C.
Kennedy Center Takeover
Lithgow expressed deep concern over the changes at the Kennedy Center, which was originally established as a government-funded, bipartisan venue. Trump has installed new board members and an interim leader, Ric Grenell, a loyalist. This move came as the board was in the process of selecting a successor to outgoing president Deborah Rutter, who had announced her resignation earlier this year.
‘Deborah Rutter was fired from her position as president – even though she’d already resigned and had [several] months to go,’ Lithgow said. ‘She’s a very good friend of mine. We co-chaired a commission on the arts [launched by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2018] and spent three years finding out the state of the arts in America [was] in crisis. Well, it’s really in crisis now. First there was coronavirus, now there’s this.’
Olivier Award Win
Lithgow won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s play Giant, which premiered at the Royal Court and is set to transfer to the West End. In his acceptance speech, Lithgow reflected on the complex relationship between the US and the UK, but affirmed his belief in the enduring ‘special relationship’ between the two nations.
State of the Arts in America
Lithgow described the current state of the arts in the US as ‘a pure disaster – really disheartening.’ However, he remains hopeful, stating that ‘bad times create good art.’ He believes that the challenges faced by the arts community will ultimately inspire resilience and creativity.
Personal Connection to the Arts
Lithgow’s connection to the arts runs deep. He grew up with Shakespeare, thanks to his father, who was a producer of Shakespeare festivals in Ohio. Lithgow himself has appeared in numerous Shakespeare plays and has a long history of stage performances in the UK, including roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
‘I grew up with Shakespeare,’ Lithgow said. ‘My father was a producer of Shakespeare festivals in Ohio. He was a regional theatre artistic director. I was in 20 Shakespeare plays by the time I was 20 years old … I came over and went to Lamda [the London drama school] after my college years. When I returned, everyone thought I was English … My sister said to me: ‘I’m not going to talk to you until you stop talking in that pretentious English accent!’
Despite the challenges, Lithgow remains optimistic about the future of the arts. ‘It gives us all something to fight for and I think the arts are animated by that. Right now, everybody is in shock,’ he said. Once the shock subsides, he believes that the arts will emerge stronger and more vibrant than ever.
Sources: INKL, The Guardian