John Lithgow Slams Trump’s Second Term as “Pure Disaster” for the Arts: “First There Was Coronavirus, Now There’s This”
Veteran actor John Lithgow is speaking out with sharp criticism of former President Donald Trump’s second term—specifically its impact on the arts community in the United States. Speaking backstage at the 2025 Olivier Awards in London, Lithgow didn’t mince words, calling the state of the arts under Trump “really in crisis.”
Fresh off winning Best Actor for his role as Roald Dahl in the acclaimed stage play Giant, Lithgow took a moment during interviews to express his deep concern about the current U.S. cultural climate, following the controversial leadership shakeup at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
“Our administration has done some shocking, destructive things,” Lithgow said. “But the one that grieves me most is taking over the Kennedy Center.”
Lithgow specifically referenced the ousting of Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter—an incident he described as more than political theater. Rutter, who had previously announced her resignation and was expected to continue for several more months, was abruptly removed by Trump-appointed leadership.
“She’s a very good friend of mine,” Lithgow shared. “We co-chaired a commission on the arts 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.”
The actor labeled the current arts landscape under the Trump administration as a “pure disaster — really disheartening,” citing the systematic undercutting of creative institutions and the growing instability for artists across disciplines.
Still, Lithgow offered a sliver of optimism amid his critique.
“It gives us all something to fight for,” he said. “And I think the arts are animated by that. Right now, everybody is in shock. But bad times create good art.”
From Dahl to Dumbledore
Lithgow’s Olivier-winning turn as Roald Dahl has been praised as one of the finest stage performances of the year. The play Giant will transfer to London’s Royal Court Theatre later this month, further cementing his standing in the British theater world.
During his speech at the awards, Lithgow acknowledged his long history with U.K. productions, calling himself a “curious kind of hybrid Englishman.” That relationship is set to deepen further as he takes on the role of Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series, which begins filming this summer.
The outspoken actor has long been known for blending his artistry with political consciousness, and his latest comments reflect growing unrest among American creatives who fear cultural institutions are becoming increasingly politicized—and unstable.
As the U.S. art world braces for continued uncertainty, Lithgow’s message is clear: the creative community may be shaken, but it’s far from silenced.