Tensions between the Trump camp and the press reignited Thursday evening after Richard “Ric” Grenell, a prominent ally of President Donald Trump, harshly criticized CNN reporter Kit Maher over her coverage of Trump’s recent appearance at the Kennedy Center’s Les Misérables production.
Grenell, who serves as White House special envoy for special missions and was appointed by Trump to lead the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, took to the social platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his discontent with Maher’s reporting.
His frustration centered on a paragraph in Maher’s latest article, which referenced an earlier CNN report that 10 to 12 cast members of Les Misérables intended to boycott the performance due to Trump’s attendance. The report noted that while it was “not immediately clear” how many ultimately followed through, Trump himself said he was unbothered by the situation.
“Pathetic reporting from @KitMaherCNN,” Grenell posted. “She fails to apologize for pushing fake news weeks ago and still can’t correct herself now. Instead, she says it wasn’t immediately clear if she was right. Lol. Hint: She was wrong and should have issued a correction. Not journalism.”
The original CNN report, authored by Jamie Gangel, Jeremy Herb, Shania Shelton, and Steve Contorno, cited anonymous sources who claimed several cast members opted out of performing the night Trump attended. “The cast was given the option to not perform the night Trump will be in the audience, and both major cast members and members of the ensemble are among those sitting out,” the article stated.
At the time, Grenell responded to CNN, denying any knowledge of a boycott and dismissing the idea that the Kennedy Center would tolerate politically motivated no-shows. “Any performer who isn’t professional enough to perform for patrons of all backgrounds, regardless of political affiliation, won’t be welcomed,” he said.
“In fact, we think it would be important to out those vapid and intolerant artists to ensure producers know who they shouldn’t hire – and that the public knows which shows have political litmus tests to sit in the audience.”
He added, “The Kennedy Center wants to be a place where people of all political stripes sit next to each other and never ask who someone voted for but instead enjoy a performance together.” CNN has not issued a correction or clarification in response to Grenell’s comments as of press time.