Kennedy Center releases video of alleged vandal after 'toxic' substance incident

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has released surveillance footage of a man it alleged vandalized an outdoor ice rink on Friday. President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to characterize the incident as political violence.

The man is believed to have intentionally poured a black tar-like substance onto the rink’s ice, which caused the cancellation of Friday night’s performance by the Montreal skating group Le Patin Libre.

It took crews more than 14 hours to repair the ice after the vandalism, Richard Grenell—who was appointed by President Donald Trump to lead the Kennedy Center—said Tuesday in an interview with WTOP. He said it was the first such incident since he was appointed to lead the institution.

“If you disagree with someone politically, do not resort to violence against a person’s body or property. It is a dangerous slippery slope, and I would say: seek help,” Grenell said.

Grenell’s comments came after the Kennedy Center, recently rebranded as the Trump-Kennedy Center after a vote by the venue’s Trump-appointed board, said in a statement Monday that United States Park Police obtained video footage and recovered a “toxic chemical container” that was used during the protest action for DNA processing.

Investigators are also reviewing cellphone tower data and canvassing nearby cameras, including Metro Bus footage showing the suspect, the Kennedy Center said in its statement, adding that the FBI is also participating in the investigation.

Le Patin Libre has also released a statement in which it said it had accepted the invitation to perform in 2024, during the administration of President Joe Biden, to perform its piece titled Murmuration.

“Since then, the direction and the name of the Center have changed. Through this moment of transition, we feel compelled to clearly reiterate our company values ​​and the message of our show,” the group said.

“Our company values ​​are artistic independence, resilience in the face of adversity, and a willingness to confront and challenge our discipline and our world.”

The group said that Murmuration is inspired by the movements of swarms of birds and “examines the fragile dynamics of collective behavior, and how they create harmony or descend into conformity, exclusion and violence.”

“Withdrawing the work would isolate it from the public at precisely the moment its message feels most urgent. For Le Patin Libre, choosing to perform Murmuration in Washington is an act of artistic responsibility,” the group said.

Le Patin Libre said the company and its skaters would donate a portion of their fees to American organizations dedicated to education and social justice.

Grenell previously received criticism from U.S. Senate Democrats for turning the nation’s cultural venue into a “swamp for cronyism” and corruption under his leadership.

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