Donald Trump's 'unanimous' election as the head of the Kennedy Center has led celebs to abandon ship and ditch their prestigious roles at the landmark cultural institution.  

Trump proceeded with an overhaul of the center on Wednesday after criticizing its former leadership, becoming chairman of the organization, and firing its president, Deborah Rutter.

The Kennedy Center said in a statement that its board of trustees, newly filled with appointees by Trump, had elected him chair and named Richard Grenell as interim president.

In a statement, Trump wrote: 'It is a great honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!' 

Trump replaces billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein as chair of the Kennedy Center, one of the leading arts organizations in the country that has enjoyed bipartisan support for years. 

Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton among many other hit series and served as Kennedy Center treasurer, has bailed after hearing the news. 

'Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center,' she said in a statement.

Singer Ben Folds also put out a statement announcing he would no longer serve as an artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra.

'Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me,' he said. 

Actress and opera singer Renee Flemming, an artistic advisor at large to the center, has also announced her departure. 

Flemming praised both Rubenstein and former President Deborah Rutter for their leadership. 

'I've treasured the bi-partisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best. I hope the Kennedy Center continues to flourish and serve the passionate and diverse audience in our nation's capital and across the country,' she said. 

Grennell, a former ambassador to Germany during Trump's first term, is also serving as an envoy for special missions in the president's administration and helping lead its response to the California wildfires.