MAGARTS&CRAFTS
David McAfee
June 8, 2025
RAW STORY
The Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
(Photo credit: Matthew Hodgkins / Shutterstock)
The MAGAfied Kennedy Center hosted a free animated film about Jesus, but only a little more than half of the seats were filled, according to a new report.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Raw Story reported over the weekend on how Kennedy Center officials have purportedly discussed speaking to Qatar about funding a VIP renovation project.
The same Wall Street Journal report that revealed the potential Qatari funding had an anecdote about a recent film flop.
"Richard Grenell, the White House special envoy who was named executive director of the Kennedy Center in February, said the president has taken a direct interest in the center and agreed it needed additional funding for upkeep and repairs after a recent visit," the report states before quoting Grenell.
"The back of the house and the front of the house have been left in an embarrassing state. I am proud to be a small part of a team where the boss eschews partisan politics in favor of putting American culture, heritage, and excellence first,” Grenell reportedly said.
The report states, "Grenell requested a June 1 public screening of 'The King of Kings,' an animated feature film about the story of Jesus, as told by the character of Charles Dickens. Grenell ordered that the free event take place in the center’s biggest venue, a 2,500-seat concert hall, at a projected cost of $29,000 for staffing, gratis popcorn and other expenses."
"The event featured a prayer wall where visitors could post their written prayers for the nation, and was sponsored by the Museum of the Bible and Moxie Pest Control, whose founder made an unsuccessful run at a Republican U.S. Senate seat in Utah last year," The report continues. "When advance sign-ups for tickets indicated a full house, Kennedy Center leaders added a second screening, increasing the total cost of the event."
But things didn't go as planned, according to the WSJ.
"Employees, who said there is typical attrition for free events, said the actual turnout left the hall 55% full for the first screening and 58% full for the second," the report states. "The Kennedy Center spokesperson said the free screenings were sold out."
Kennedy Center official's new request led to 'audible gasp' from staff: report
The Kennedy Center has undergone a slew of changes since Donald Trump's election to his second term in office, but one request made staff release "an audible gasp," according to a report.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Raw Story reported over the weekend on how Kennedy Center officials have purportedly discussed speaking to Qatar about funding a VIP renovation project, as well as on an anecdote about a recent film flop.
But one request made the staff gasp, according to the Wall Street Journal's weekend report.
Noting that the center recently filled a position for a director of faith-based programming, the outlet reported, "The religious orientation has at times extended to the institution’s staff."
"The Kennedy Center’s new head of development, Lisa Dale, invited her staff to pray during a May meeting, a request that prompted an audible gasp from some staff members, according to a person familiar with the matter," it stated. "Dale dropped the idea at the time. In the same meeting, she mentioned that insubordination would be grounds for dismissal, the person said."
Dale didn't reply to requests for comment from the WSJ, the report states.
Qatar may fund Kennedy Center renovation project as part of 'MAGA makeover'
U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, before being seen off to Air Force One at Al Udeid Air Base, en-route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Doha, Qatar, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Fresh off the scandal involving Donald Trump's administration accepting a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One, Wall Street Journal broke some news about potential Qatari involvement in the famous Kennedy Center.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Now, the WSJ has a new report with additional details on the struggles the center is having.
As part of that report, the outlet included this nugget of reporting:
"A Trump appointee on the Kennedy Center board has suggested building a marina next to it on the Potomac River, so that visitors can pull up their boats and listen to music," it states, adding, "Kennedy Center officials have discussed speaking to Mideast countries such as Qatar about funding the renovation of one of its VIP lounges, people familiar with the matter said."
The article is called, "It’s Opening Night for the MAGA Makeover of the Kennedy Center."
Read the full report here.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Raw Story reported over the weekend on how Kennedy Center officials have purportedly discussed speaking to Qatar about funding a VIP renovation project.
The same Wall Street Journal report that revealed the potential Qatari funding had an anecdote about a recent film flop.
"Richard Grenell, the White House special envoy who was named executive director of the Kennedy Center in February, said the president has taken a direct interest in the center and agreed it needed additional funding for upkeep and repairs after a recent visit," the report states before quoting Grenell.
"The back of the house and the front of the house have been left in an embarrassing state. I am proud to be a small part of a team where the boss eschews partisan politics in favor of putting American culture, heritage, and excellence first,” Grenell reportedly said.
The report states, "Grenell requested a June 1 public screening of 'The King of Kings,' an animated feature film about the story of Jesus, as told by the character of Charles Dickens. Grenell ordered that the free event take place in the center’s biggest venue, a 2,500-seat concert hall, at a projected cost of $29,000 for staffing, gratis popcorn and other expenses."
"The event featured a prayer wall where visitors could post their written prayers for the nation, and was sponsored by the Museum of the Bible and Moxie Pest Control, whose founder made an unsuccessful run at a Republican U.S. Senate seat in Utah last year," The report continues. "When advance sign-ups for tickets indicated a full house, Kennedy Center leaders added a second screening, increasing the total cost of the event."
But things didn't go as planned, according to the WSJ.
"Employees, who said there is typical attrition for free events, said the actual turnout left the hall 55% full for the first screening and 58% full for the second," the report states. "The Kennedy Center spokesperson said the free screenings were sold out."
Kennedy Center official's new request led to 'audible gasp' from staff: report
The Kennedy Center has undergone a slew of changes since Donald Trump's election to his second term in office, but one request made staff release "an audible gasp," according to a report.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Raw Story reported over the weekend on how Kennedy Center officials have purportedly discussed speaking to Qatar about funding a VIP renovation project, as well as on an anecdote about a recent film flop.
But one request made the staff gasp, according to the Wall Street Journal's weekend report.
Noting that the center recently filled a position for a director of faith-based programming, the outlet reported, "The religious orientation has at times extended to the institution’s staff."
"The Kennedy Center’s new head of development, Lisa Dale, invited her staff to pray during a May meeting, a request that prompted an audible gasp from some staff members, according to a person familiar with the matter," it stated. "Dale dropped the idea at the time. In the same meeting, she mentioned that insubordination would be grounds for dismissal, the person said."
Dale didn't reply to requests for comment from the WSJ, the report states.
Qatar may fund Kennedy Center renovation project as part of 'MAGA makeover'
U.S. President Donald Trump talks with Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, before being seen off to Air Force One at Al Udeid Air Base, en-route to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Doha, Qatar, May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
Fresh off the scandal involving Donald Trump's administration accepting a Qatari jet to be used as Air Force One, Wall Street Journal broke some news about potential Qatari involvement in the famous Kennedy Center.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Now, the WSJ has a new report with additional details on the struggles the center is having.
As part of that report, the outlet included this nugget of reporting:
"A Trump appointee on the Kennedy Center board has suggested building a marina next to it on the Potomac River, so that visitors can pull up their boats and listen to music," it states, adding, "Kennedy Center officials have discussed speaking to Mideast countries such as Qatar about funding the renovation of one of its VIP lounges, people familiar with the matter said."
The article is called, "It’s Opening Night for the MAGA Makeover of the Kennedy Center."
Read the full report here.
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