Today illustrates that Trump’s recent flubs about the “Trump Kennedy Center” were not merely a result of his increasing dementia, but rather a concerted campaign by him and his sycophants on the Kennedy Center Board to rename the center. In full-on authoritarian fashion, Trump and his acolytes are renaming public institutions after their dear leader. This illegal act is just one more example of the lawless approach that Trump and his cronies take to destroying institutions in our country. The Center is not a toy that baby Trump gets to name at his whim. It is a living memorial to an assassinated president. Trump and his board have about as much authority to rename the center as they do to rename the Lincoln Memorial, The Trump House of Equality. Not only are today’s actions a violation of the law, but they also disrespect a martyred president and his lasting legacy to the arts in our nation.
An act of Congress established the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 20 US Code section 76i(a), Congress designated the building the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Because the center is statutorily designated as “The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” only Congress has the authority to change its name. As with many things that this presidential administration does, the recent vote by the Center’s Board is nothing more than blatant pandering to the fragile ego of the man-child who inhabits the White House. Absent congressional action, the Kennedy Center Board has no authority whatsoever to change the center’s name.
Additionally, under 20 USC section 76j (b) prohibits any additional plaques or memorials from being designated or installed in the public areas of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. (side note: the installation of Trump, Vance and their consorts on the entrance walls in the Hall of Nations is likely a violation of this law as well)
The Kennedy Center was already struggling with ticket sales due to the brand’s demolition of acts by Trump, Ric Grenell, and the Board. Now, with this move, it is sure to cement public sentiment against the Center and worsen the ticket revenue shortages the Center has witnessed over the past 10 months.
In short, the Kennedy Center board has no clothes and lacks the legal authority to change the Center’s name. Only Congress vests such authority.
Join us as we unite our voices in a chorus of protest against the takeover of the Kennedy Center. Sign our petition to hold Ric Grenell and the Board Accountable.
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