Trump’s Name, Again, on Kennedy Center: A Pattern of Disregard for Democracy

The latest move by the Kennedy Center board to add President Donald J. Trump’s name to its facade and close for renovations is a disturbing example of how some appointees prioritize their patron over the institutions they’re supposed to steward.

This decision comes after a federal court ruling invalidated an earlier vote by the same board, which aimed to rename the center and undergo a two-year renovation. U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper found that the trustees had rubber-stamped a plan without considering its impact on programming and finances.

The addition of Trump’s name is problematic not just because it ignores a clear law prohibiting memorials or plaques in the nature of memorials to the Kennedy Center, but also because it sets a precedent for disregarding statutes passed by Congress. The board’s decision raises questions about the role of politics in cultural institutions and when partisan appointees began wielding power over supposedly apolitical organizations like the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center has a rich history as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, created by Congress shortly after his death. Its purpose was to preserve the legacy of a beloved leader and provide a space for artistic expression and education. However, today it seems like this noble purpose is being hijacked by partisan interests.

The White House’s response to the board’s decision only serves to underscore this concern. Assistant press secretary Liz Huston claims that Trump’s leadership will make the Kennedy Center “the finest cultural institution anywhere in the world.” This rhetoric is empty and designed to gloss over the real issues at play.

As the drama unfolds, it’s essential to remember that institutions like the Kennedy Center are supposed to serve the public interest, not partisan agendas. The board’s actions should be seen for what they are: a brazen attempt to rewrite history and disregard the rule of law. This move is part of a wider problem – the normalization of authoritarianism in America.

We’ve seen it in other institutions as well: from the National Archives to our public schools, there’s a growing trend of disregard for democratic principles and institutions. The Kennedy Center’s plight is just one symptom of this problem. Its decision will be remembered not as a grand gesture of patriotism or civic duty but as another example of how some people prioritize their own power over the foundations of our democracy.

The Kennedy Center deserves better – our country deserves better.