Donald Trump Takes Over the Kennedy Center- Page 27

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 12:53pm

ACL2006 said: "This was all about oil, not drug trafficking."

...and Trump and his cronies blatantly admitted so in the press conference. The goal is to re-vamp Venezuela's oil production infrastructure so that "we can sell it to the word". (China and Russia were specifically referenced as potential buyers.)

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 12:54pm

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[whatever2]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 2:51pm

how long til he re-names the place??

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 4:05pm

whatever2 said: "how long til he re-names the place??"

I appreciate a moment of humor during a potential crisis. 

The reality still remains, however.

Look at what TIME is reporting re: How the World Is Reacting to the U.S. Capture of Nicolas Maduro. 

In the press conference, a reporter asked, "You had a phone call with [Putin] on Monday did he talk at all about Maduro? Did y'all talk about this?" She followed up with the question, "Are you mad at him right now?" Trump's response was, "I'm not thrilled with Putin. He's killing too many people."

msn reports: "China issued a strong warning against the American military build-up in the Caribbean. A spokesperson from its foreign ministry stated that any action undermining the principles of the United Nations Charter, particularly sovereignty and national security, was unacceptable. The message was clear: external interference in Venezuela’s internal matters would not be tolerated." 

Trump has insulted, belittled, and berated a VERY large portion of the world outside of China and Russia, including countries/nations that were once considered our allies. To add insult to injury, he's brazenly boasting about this country's military might - which IMO is very needlessly and unthinkingly poking a (or multiple) potential bears.

So, IF (and yes, it is currently only an "if") China, Russia, or both (...Iran is in the mix, too) should decide they want to retaliate against the US because on this issue of Venezuela and their oil, who in the world would come to our defense?

[kdogg36]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 6:38pm

I encourage any enemies of the US government to invade Washington, kidnap Trump, and take him away. They will have my comfort and they will have my aid. I will gather flowers to welcome them as liberators.

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 9:06pm

kdogg36 said: "I encourage any enemies of the US government to invade Washington, kidnap Trump, and take him away. They will have my comfort and they will have my aid. I will gather flowers to welcome them as liberators."

I'm not sure that inviting enemies of our government to invade Washington (for any reason) is the best option.

I think we all need to start actively watch-dogging our local, state and national representatives (both Republican and Democrat, regardless of how we vote). We should be calling, texting, emailing and writing frequently with our opinions. All phone numbers and addresses are available online.They ALL should be overwhelmed by our correspondence. 

They are elected to represent us, so it is our responsibility to tell them what we want them to do.

"They won't listen" should not be a part of your decision on whether/not to contact them frequently. The object is to be so overwhelmingly persistent that the action can't go unnoticed, regardless of a response. 

There are parts of the world that are publicly weighing in on whether/not Trump's actions are just or unjust.

Why aren't we?

[MezzA101]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 9:10pm

Kad said: "Stephen Schwartz pulls out as host of the Washington National Opera gala in protest.


Won’t he think of the ushers?!"

Kennedy Center president says ‘Wicked’ composer’s cancellation is fake

Kennedy Center interim President Richard Grenell claims Stephen Schwartz was never booked to appear at the institution despite the “Wicked” composer being listed on a since-deleted event listing on its official website. 

https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/stephen-schwartz-kennedy-center-21273193.php

[THDavis]

Posted: 1/3/26 at 10:02pm

John Adams said: "I'm not sure that inviting enemies of our government to invade Washington (for any reason) is the best option.

I think we all need to start actively watch-dogging our local, state and national representatives (both Republican and Democrat, regardless of how we vote). We should be calling, texting, emailing and writing frequently with our opinions. All phone numbers and addresses are available online.They ALL should be overwhelmed by our correspondence.

They are elected to represent us, so it is our responsibility to tell them what we want them to do.

"They won't listen" should not be a part of your decision on whether/not to contact them frequently. The object is to be so overwhelmingly persistent that the action can't go unnoticed, regardless of a response.

There are parts of the world that are publicly weighing in on whether/not Trump's actions are just or unjust.

Why aren't we?"

I think we’re well beyond imagining Trump has any restraint put on him by Congress. America is essentially in a dictatorship right now - what he wants, he takes. He doesn’t wait for permission, he doesn’t ask for forgiveness. So, correct: when the nation isn’t in a complete free fall, call your senators and local representatives. Do it now just to say that we have, of course. Currently, I don’t think there’s much more we can do but pray (as a non-religious person, I’ve had to learn how) and hope our nation is responded to in a way that continues to provide peace and safety to our citizens and, hopefully, restores order to our government by running the clown show out of town. 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 1/4/26 at 7:47am

Removing Trump isn’t enough. The system that produced him needs to be utterly destroyed. The United States can’t be allowed to continue in any recognizable form. 

[THDavis]

Posted: 1/6/26 at 10:12pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Musician-Bla-Fleck-Cancels-Kennedy-Center-Appearance-20260106
 

And another artist cancels. It’s starting to feel like we’re staring down the barrel… not choosing sides is complacency out of comfort, and history will be dictated by those who speak out and not those who stay silent.
 

Remember: having an uncomfortable conversation with family and friends is worth the challenge if it establishes your intolerance towards far reaching ideologies. As far as I’m concerned, if you say January 6th was anything other than an insurrection attempt on our democracy, you are an enabler of far-right ideology. At the very least an enabler…

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 3:52am

The Kennedy Center is being used as Trump's personal convention center.

On 1/6, he held a "Republican Retreat" at the Kennedy Center where he told House Republicans, "You gotta win the mid-terms. 'Cause if we don't win the mid-terms, it's just gonna be - I mean they will find a reason to impeach me. I will get impeached."

 

[Peronista]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 4:09am

One of the big things to keep an eye on (for the Broadway community) is the tour of THE OUTSIDERS... Technically, the National Theatre has an open slot on those exact dates (between Beetlejouice and The Notebook).  

Will the tour announce early that they will switch venues?  It's far enough out that they could.  Or they hedge their bets to see if people still care by then.  

Making a very public announcement now while the spotlight is on these current artists' concellations would send a strong message and very likely garner more praise than the Les Miz tour which tried to have it both ways by allowing actors to call out on a specific day but not moving venues.

The Chicago tour is not as high profile (and non-union) and Moulin Rouge can't take The National on thieir current KC dates as The National is booked at that time.

 

[kdogg36]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 11:18am

Peronista said: "The Chicago tour is not as high profile (and non-union) and Moulin Rouge can't take The National on thieir current KC dates as The National is booked at that time."

Then their only honorable option is to cancel the engagement entirely.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/7/26 at 2:08pm

Peronista said: "One of the big things to keep an eye on (for the Broadway community) is the tour of THE OUTSIDERS... Technically, the National Theatre has an open slot on those exact dates (between Beetlejouice and The Notebook).

Will the tour announce early that they will switch venues? It's far enough out that they could. Or they hedge their bets to see if people still care by then.

Making a very public announcement now while the spotlight is on these current artists' concellations would send a strong message and very likely garner more praise than the Les Miz tour which tried to have it both ways by allowing actors to call out on a specific day but not moving venues.

The Chicago tour is not as high profile (and non-union) and Moulin Rouge can't take The National on thieir current KC dates as The National is booked at that time.

"

I know Angelina Jolie isn’t THE managing partner on the show, but I’m shocked she doesn’t have any leverage to get the show to move. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 12:29pm

The Smithsonian Faces New Pressure to Submit to Trump’s Will

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/arts/design/smithsonian-trump-pressure.html?unlocked_article_code=1.C1A.xyq2.kHahzZfteEn3&smid=nytcore-android-share

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 1/8/26 at 4:44pm

jfc

At least no one can ever again deny his beliefs and intentions.

NY: Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’

"On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities, not international law or treaties."

[THDavis]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 2:06am

To support Donald Trump’s agenda is to support fascism - this is out of the same Nazi playbook Hitler played out of. Everyone in his administration’s family members are also accountable, as it’s up to all of us to fulfill a patriotic duty in service to our nation to have difficult conversations and call these atrocities out with those close to us. I’ve begun my difficult conversations with family advising I won’t be tolerant to Nazi ideology and enabling of a fascist agenda - if they want to continue being blinded by him, they can live outside of the periphery of my life. Hopefully we’re all willing to have difficult patriotic conversations with those we love and want to see spared from this delusional cult. 
 

Also, another artist cancelled. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 12:09pm

San Francisco Ballet faces pressure to cancel Kennedy Center show

https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/san-francisco-ballet-cancel-kennedy-center-21284309.php

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 6:03pm

The Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/arts/music/washington-national-opera-kennedy-center.html

[blaxx]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 6:10pm

I wonder who DOES perform there now. 

[fosterfan2]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 6:26pm

Ted Nugent,Kid Rock,Laura Osnes,Carrie Underwood,Scott Baio,Kevin Sorbo,Nicki Minaj,etc., probably.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 6:30pm

blaxx said: "I wonder who DOES perform there now."

Not enough people to make a massive institution in a blue zone financially viable.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 7:10pm

Ric Grenell and his minion Roma Daravi are already spinning this news as it being a decision made exclusively by the Center. 

[Zeppie2022]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 7:29pm

blaxx said: "I wonder who DOES perform there now."

I checked out events scheduled and there are bunch of Broadway shows on the calendar (Mrs. Doubtfire, Chicago, Back to The Future, The Outsiders and Moulin Rouge). Will they be cancelled, beats me. Dance companies like ABT, NYC Ballet, SF Ballet & Martha Graham have scheduled performances. The only artists that I have heard of performing there are comedian Jeff Foxworthy and R&B artist Tyrese.

 

[DomPhilly]

Posted: 1/9/26 at 8:02pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Ric Grenell and his minion Roma Daravi are already spinning this news as it being a decision made exclusively by the Center."

The Washington National Opera is a renowned,respected and reputable institution.

 

Grenell and Daravi are none of those three adjectives.