In 1971, the United States opened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Not only does it serve as a memorial to America’s 35th President, it’s a testament to the power of art. Performance art specifically and how it is its own unique form of expression. In 2025, aspiring dictator Donald Trump, wanted to add his name to it. A back and forth has followed that is now going back to the courts.
The Fight for the Kennedy Center
Before we launch into a quick recap and discuss where things are now, we should make one thing very clear. Great leaders do not build monuments to themselves, they build up other people. Trump’s desire to put his name on the Kennedy Center is a selfish act of authoritarianism and narcissism. Dictators brandish their name everywhere to establish themselves. Narcissists will attempt to denigrate others who would otherwise garner the respect and admiration they desire for themselves.
Even the method Trump has gone about to take control of the Kennedy Center carries the stench of totalitarian bullshit. He dismissed the trustees of the center and replaced them with cronies who elected him chairman. His name was then added to make it the “Trump Kennedy Center” (note the dictator’s name coming first). This was ruled illegal by federal judge Christopher Cooper.
Cooper ruled, correctly, that only the Congress has the power to change the name of the Kennedy Center. This hasn’t stopped the Kennedy Center board from fighting back. Cooper gave the board two weeks to change the name back. Now, on the cusp of that time period ending, the board is filing suit to stop the reversion from happening. They’re basically arguing that they have a strong chance of appealing the judge’s ruling. So, if that’s the case, changing the name back by removing Trump’s name only to change it back again when they win, would cause more financial stress.
Desperation Tactics
This absolutely asinine argument overlooks the fact that the name change TO “Trump Kennedy Center” has already had a tremendously negative impact. Artists are refusing to perform there now and its been a massive blow to the Center’s financial well-being. All this is, is a naked and transparent plot to try to support the dictator they either love or fear. Anything to be in his good graces.
Hopefully the judiciary continues to see the light of reason and denies the request to stay Judge Cooper’s ruling. The Kennedy Center should remain just that. That would be justice. And if there’s any sense of justice that the world carries out, hopefully it finds its way to the board. These people are supporting a tyrant who cares nothing for the arts or for anyone but himself. History should remember them for their attempts to prop up demagoguery in cowardice and democratic abandon. They should all be disgusted with themselves.
