The Kennedy Center has fired an employee, Tavish Forsyth, after he posted a video where he stripped naked and went on a rant against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. As social media continues to blur the line between private and public life, this case serves as a stark reminder of how quickly personal actions can have professional consequences in positions of public trust and responsibility. Does working with minors justify stricter standards for employee behavior outside of work?
Naked Tirade Leads to Termination
Tavish Forsyth, former program director at the Kennedy Center’s Opera Institute, has been fired following a disturbing 35-minute video that circulated on social media. In the video, Forsyth removed his clothes and launched into an explicit rant against President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, making serious accusations and expressing apparent paranoia about political developments.
Forsyth specifically claimed in his tirade that “Trump has taken over the Kennedy Center and that’s a place where I work.” He questioned his complicity in what he described as a hostile government takeover, displaying visible agitation throughout the recording.
Woke Kennedy Center Worker Fired Over Naked Meltdown Video About Trump & Musk https://t.co/ijB7GUWIYO
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) March 22, 2025
Kennedy Center Responds
The Kennedy Center acted swiftly upon discovering the video, emphasizing that Forsyth’s role involved working with minors. Roma Daravi, vice president of the Kennedy Center, issued a statement saying, “The video was extremely disturbing and does not represent the values of the Kennedy Center. Most concerning of all, his contracted position was specifically to work with minors.”
Daravi further elaborated on the Center’s reasoning, stating, “Who knows what kind of radical ideology they have been pushing on the youth? Not anymore. They’re fired.” The institution’s decisive action reflects its concern about the potential impacts on its programs for young people and its public reputation.
Kennedy Center fires employee after naked protest against Trump pic.twitter.com/0zuukIToOd
— COMPOUND CENSORED (@censoreddottv) March 22, 2025
Forsyth’s Background and Affiliations
Beyond his Kennedy Center role, Forsyth is the founder of Bird City Improv, LLC, an organization focused on what it describes as liberation through performance art. The company centers its work around the experiences of queer, BIPOC, and femme artists, offering workshops and classes on various social justice topics.
Public records indicate that Bird City Improv has collaborated with organizations including the Maryland Economic Development Association and Johns Hopkins University. The Maryland State Arts Council has promoted Forsyth’s services to various communities, including high school students, older adults, and LGBTQ+ groups, raising questions about the potential use of taxpayer funds for his activities.
Some commentators have suggested that Forsyth may benefit from mental health services, pointing to the erratic nature of his video. The incident has prompted calls from some quarters to investigate any taxpayer-funded grants that may have supported Forsyth’s diversity, equity, and inclusion activism through his company.