Donald Trump Takes Over the Kennedy Center- Page 30
Donald Trump Takes Over the Kennedy Center
#725Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/1/26 at 8:40pm
While the KC was bleeding audiences and artists faster than one of Sweeney Todd's victims, after what became of the East Wing, I am extremely wary of any of Trump's "renovations."
Trump and co's insistence that the Kennedy Center was dilapidated, poorly maintained, and in need of major work is one of the weirder lies the administration has foisted upon the public.
#726Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/1/26 at 8:57pm
Curious if the National Theatre will expand its amount of offerings in the next two seasons, considering it will be the only touring house in DC now. Are there other venues in DC or the surrounding area that could host a Broadway touring series?
Back Row
Leading Actor Joined: 4/14/12
#727Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/1/26 at 9:49pm
Virtually any project can be scheduled and phased so that it can remain operational while construction is underway. (they just built a fifty story mixed use tower directly over the tracks at Boston's South Station, with almost no disturbance of the train schedules.) He's simply lying. He plans on tearing it down so he can build some hideous monument to himself. And keep in mind that this is a man who has the design sensibilities of a garden slug.
#728Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/1/26 at 11:05pm
Yeah he’s not planning on renovating the building, he’s planning on tearing it down. And of course the newly constructed building - if it even happens - will be stripped of Kennedy‘s name.
Congress needs to do its job, step up and stop this man from wrecking one of this country’s great cultural institutions.
iluvtheatertrash
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
#729Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 12:01am
James885 said: "Yeah he’s not planning on renovating the building, he’s planning on tearing it down. And of course the newly constructed building - if it even happens - will be stripped of Kennedy‘s name.
Congress needs to do its job, step up and stop this man from wrecking one of this country’s great cultural institutions."
Congress won't. They have made that clear.
#730Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 2:40am
“James885 said: "Yeah he’s not planning on renovating the building, he’s planning on tearing it down. And of course the newly constructed building - if it even happens - will be stripped of Kennedy‘s name.
Congress needs to do its job, step up and stop this man from wrecking one of this country’s great cultural institutions."
I would prefer Congress first deal with his personal extra-judicial militia that is assassinating US citizens but that’s just me.
Merkin2
Joined: 12/2/25
#731Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 6:46am
Rob Mcclure post
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUPNK9UDFN8/?igsh=ZzBvb2V3dWVtN3Jp
#732Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 9:07am
Merkin2 said: "Rob Mcclure post
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUPNK9UDFN8/?igsh=ZzBvb2V3dWVtN3Jp"
I love you Rob McClure, never change.
#733Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 10:53am
Kad said: "While the KC was bleeding audiences and artists faster than one of Sweeney Todd's victims, after what became of the East Wing, I am extremely wary of any of Trump's "renovations."
Trump and co's insistence that the Kennedy Center was dilapidated, poorly maintained, and in need of major work is one of the weirder lies the administration has foisted upon the public."
He's going to destroy it and abandon the rubble, isn't he?
blug
Understudy Joined: 12/27/17
#734Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 11:32am
He has to close it for two years because HE'S DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB RUNNING IT AND EVERYONE HAS TO TAKE A BREAK TO TAKE IN THE SHEER WINNING OF IT ALL.
gibsons2
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/19
#735Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 11:45am
TotallyEffed said: "
He's going to destroy it and abandon the rubble, isn't he?"
Just like everything else he touches, starting from decades old institutions like USAID and DOE to hard won constitutional civil and voting rights (and yes, 2A too). It is difficult to find someone who hates the USA more than this man. Nobody has been as recklessly destructive as he is. Putin couldn't have picked a better serf.
somecheapfrenchthing
Stand-by Joined: 9/14/17
#736Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 11:46am
“I would prefer Congress first deal with his personal extra-judicial militia that is assassinating US citizens but that’s just me."
I think most of us would strongly, overwhelmingly prefer that what you mention happens first. Expressing hope that Congress steps up about the Kennedy Center and sharing that here doesn’t mean it’s anyone’s top concern overall. It is relevant to this discussion about Trump’s KC takeover though.
For those mentioning the possibility of him leveling it: is that an actual rumor, or is it an assumption based on his past behavior?
#737Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 11:48am
It's an assumption given what he's done to the East Wing and the country.
sppunk
Leading Actor Joined: 6/18/16
#738Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 12:39pm
It’s prime real estate on a river. It’s going to become condos.
Timon3
Featured Actor Joined: 4/29/20
#739Trump takeover of DC
Posted: 2/2/26 at 1:52pm
No it is going to reopen again in a tad over two years with the Broadway musical Ballroom.
merle57
Stand-by Joined: 9/9/24
#740Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 3:45pm
Who will reimburse those touring companies for the lost bookings? Does this break the contract with whoever runs the subscription series?
SeanD2
Featured Actor Joined: 5/2/17
#741Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 3:56pm
merle57 said: "Who will reimburse those touring companies for the lost bookings? Does this break the contract with whoever runs the subscription series?"
I assume the contracts already include language around cancellations resulting from the venue's inability to host and what the compensation must be. Now of course this isn't any ordinary venue, and Trump has a history of not paying debts, but the contracts should cover this situation.
Back Row
Leading Actor Joined: 4/14/12
#742Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 8:35pm
Based on Trump’s past behavior, I think we can safely assume that whatever comes out of his mouth is a blatant lie. We can also assume that whatever plans he has for the property will be as aesthetically offensive as everything else he gets his tiny fingers on, and will include some kind of long term lease that gives the Trump family control, with options to build hotels and restaurants, and to include a massive memorial and tourist center to honor Trump. Kennedy’s name will be thrown on the trash heap, along with the original purpose of the center. Illegal? Highly! But has that ever stopped him before?
One thing that should be explored is how is he paying for all these abuses. I suspect that wherever the money is coming from, it’s probably illegal. (Saudis?)
Just imagine the worst possible outcome, and I think you’d be pretty close to an accurate prediction.
Merkin2
Joined: 12/2/25
#743Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 9:23pm
He’s saying he’s going to gut the building and keep some of the marble on the outside. $200 million. The lawsuits must start immediately before he destroys it.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/02/trump-kennedy-center-renovation-00761377
#744Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 10:46pm
James885 said: "Yeah he’s not planning on renovating the building, he’s planning on tearing it down. And of course the newly constructed building - if it even happens - will be stripped of Kennedy‘s name.
Congress needs to do its job, step up and stop this man from wrecking one of this country’s great cultural institutions."
Trump, announced that the performing arts venue would close for renovations for two years starting in July is expected to cost $200million, said the project was fully financed, but did not elaborate on the source of the funding.
He added that the project won’t involve demolishing the iconic building on the Potomac River.
“I’m not ripping it out,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “I’ll be using the steel. So we’re using the structure.”
“We’re using some of the marble, and some of the marble comes down, but when it’s open, it’ll be brand new and really beautiful,” he said. "We’re going to have all brand-new air conditioning, heating."
SteveSanders
Broadway Star Joined: 3/29/25
#745Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/2/26 at 10:58pm
This journalist's post on X says Congress appropriated $257 million for renovations in the so -called "Big Beautiful Bill.
MezzA101
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/23
#746Who pays for the touring shows that lost bookings?
Posted: 2/3/26 at 11:27am
‘Crisis’: The fallout from Trump’s surprise plan to close Kennedy Center
https://wapo.st/4qhUb0b
MezzA101
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/29/23
#747 Trump Takeover of DC
Posted: 2/3/26 at 11:31am
Trump’s Kennedy Center Shutdown Plan Jolts Workers and Performers
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/arts/music/trumps-kennedy-center.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVA.IZSf.OiAcMnvIZaVi&smid=nytcore-android-share
#748 Trump Takeover of DC
Posted: 2/3/26 at 11:38am
Where's Zeppie to espouse about the loss of work for people now?
#749 Trump Takeover of DC
Posted: 2/3/26 at 12:09pm
MezzA101 said: "Trump’s Kennedy Center Shutdown Plan Jolts Workers and Performers
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/arts/music/trumps-kennedy-center.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JVA.IZSf.OiAcMnvIZaVi&smid=nytcore-android-share"
MAGAs are all about jobs except when it alters the liberal word and the arts. They honestly don't care about this and wouldn't care if Broadway got shutdown, either.
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