Trump’s Kennedy Center Shakedown

The Kennedy Center’s struggles are nothing new, but Donald Trump’s involvement has brought a new level of politicization to the institution. A 57-page presentation by the executive board reveals that the center is warning of potential bankruptcy unless Trump gets his name back on the building. This development raises questions about the board’s willingness to compromise with the president and the long-term implications for American culture.

The proposed solution involves adding Trump’s name to a renovated building in exchange for financial support, essentially a shakedown. Lawyers Norm Eisen and Nathaniel Zelinsky describe it as “Trump taking the Center hostage and threatening to kill it unless he gets his way.” This tactic is an affront to the institution and a testament to Trump’s ego and insecurity.

The Kennedy Center’s troubles began when performers and patrons boycotted the center in response to Trump’s name being added to the building. The plummeting ticket sales were a direct result of this backlash, which Trump saw as a personal embarrassment. In an attempt to salvage his reputation, he claimed that the center needed to be closed for two years for renovation; workers later covered the wall with tarps at 3 am to avoid removing his name.

The proposed solution is not only morally dubious but also fraught with consequences. By allowing Trump to raise money and add his name to the building, the board would be giving in to a thinly veiled attempt at extortion. This move would set a disturbing precedent for future administrations and institutions, where powerful individuals can use their influence to demand recognition and reward.

The American people have made it clear that they do not support Trump’s mania for renaming things. The Kennedy Center is just one example of this trend, with the White House itself becoming a symbol of Trump’s garish taste and egomania. The proposed renovation would enshrine Trump’s name alongside Kennedy’s, cementing his legacy in a way that undermines the institution’s integrity.

In admitting that he is building monuments to himself because he fears no one else will do it when he’s gone, Trump revealed a deep-seated insecurity. This insecurity is not just a personal failing but also a national embarrassment. The president’s actions are a reflection of the country’s values and priorities, and it is up to the American people to decide whether such things matter.

The Kennedy Center board has acknowledged its failure in allowing Trump to hold the institution hostage. Instead of caving to his demands, they should take his dare and allow the center to fail on his watch. This would be a painful but necessary step towards restoring the institution’s integrity and setting a precedent for future administrations.

Rudyard Kipling’s 1911 poem “The Ballad of East and West” offers wisdom: “We never pay any-one Dane-geld, / No matter how trifling.” The Kennedy Center board and the American people would do well to heed this advice and resist Trump’s shakedown.