Mockery abounds after Trump's latest Kennedy Center proclamation: 'He’s East-Winging it'
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while he poses for a picture at the presidential box at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 17, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Barria
Mockery abounded on Sunday night after President Donald Trump announced that the embattled Kennedy Center would close for two years as a wave of performers cancelled their dates.
Trump has been trying for several months to rebrand the Kennedy Center as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," even though the building was named by federal law. His efforts to add his name to the center, which was built in honor of the late President John F. Kennedy, sparked outrage among artists and performers.
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said his decision to close the Kennedy Center came after consulting with experts and is "totally subject to Board approval."
"I have determined that the fastest way to bring The Trump Kennedy Center to the highest level of Success, Beauty, and Grandeur, is to cease Entertainment Operations for an approximately two year (sic) period of time, with a scheduled Grand Reopening that will rival and surpass anything that has taken place with respect to such a Facility before," Trump proclaimed.
Political analysts and observers reacted on social media.
"So he’s announcing the demolition of the Kennedy Center, correct? He’s East-Winging it," lawyer Will Stancil posted on Bluesky.
"Just like his casinos and other businesses, the Kennedy Center went out of business after he put his name on it," Brett Meiselas, co-founder of MeidasTouch, posted on X.
"We had to destroy the Kennedy Center in order to save it," historian Kevin Kruse posted on Bluesky.
"Trump officially killed the Kennedy Center," lawyer Bradley Moss posted on Bluesky.
"He’s not mad about cancellations, just following advice from unnamed Highly Respected Experts," Mother Jones reporter Dan Friedman posted on X.
"Trump ruined the Kennedy Center so quickly and completely that he's going to close and 'renovate' it for most of the rest of his second term," journalist Mike Rothschild posted on X.
Trump announces two-year closure of embattled Kennedy Center
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
President Donald Trump poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the embattled Kennedy Center will close for two-years as it undergoes renovations.
"After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday.
The president made the announcement at a time when the Kennedy Center's bookings had dried up in protest of the Trump administration. Artists ranging from Béla Fleck to Issa Rae and The Cookers have all cancelled their Kennedy Center dates.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 4, according to Trump's post.
Robert Davis
February 1, 2026
RAW STORY
President Donald Trump poses on the red carpet for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 7, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the embattled Kennedy Center will close for two-years as it undergoes renovations.
"After a one year review of The Trump Kennedy Center, that has taken place with Contractors, Musical Experts, Art Institutions, and other Advisors and Consultants, deciding between either Construction with Closure and Re-Opening or, Partial Construction while continuing Entertainment Operations through a much longer period of time, working in and around the Performances, I have determined that The Trump Kennedy Center, if temporarily closed for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding, can be, without question, the finest Performing Arts Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post on Sunday.
The president made the announcement at a time when the Kennedy Center's bookings had dried up in protest of the Trump administration. Artists ranging from Béla Fleck to Issa Rae and The Cookers have all cancelled their Kennedy Center dates.
The Kennedy Center is scheduled to close on July 4, according to Trump's post.
Opinion: President of bad taste — The Arc de Sleaze in Washington will probably be golden
By Paul Wallis
By Paul Wallis
EDITOR AT LARGE
DIGITAL JOURNAL
January 31, 2026
January 31, 2026
If Donald Trump is remembered for anything, it’ll be his obsession with landmarks commemorating himself. The useless White House ballroom, and the inexcusable demolition of the rose garden, the renaming of the Kennedy Center, and the golden tat adorning the White House apparently aren’t enough.
The arch will supposedly be 250 feet tall. Modelled roughly on the Arc de Triomphe, this thing will be timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. It will be funded by “leftover donations” to the much-reviled ballroom.
You’ve probably heard of brutalist architecture. It’s useless and ornamental. It reflects the bad taste of its proponents.
This is brattish architecture. Many despots, notably Louis the 14th, the mass-murdering king who bankrupted France with his many wars, liked monumental architecture rather than competent architecture. The Palace of Versailles was built with no regard for sanitation, for example.
In the case of the US, however, there’s something grotesque about even the theory of a triumphal arch. What could possibly be less appropriate?
The United States is no longer anything like the beacon of hope it was from inception. The lack of originality and any specifically American characteristics of the proposed arch are absurd but typical of this administration.
What triumph is this useless arch commemorating? The worst living conditions since the Great Depression? An America at war with itself? An America that refuses to modernize or recognize the rights of its own citizens? Rampant criminality and corruption? The last mad bleat of an ex-superpower? The triumph of disgusting parasites pumping the life and identity out of America?
The best name for this new absurdity would be the Arc de Sleaze.
It’ll be a last-minute token of pseudo-patriotism, like the rest of Trump’s horrible facades. Stick a red cap made in China on it, and you’ve got your American icon.
Suggestion – Tear this insult down ASAP.
_________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
The arch will supposedly be 250 feet tall. Modelled roughly on the Arc de Triomphe, this thing will be timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary. It will be funded by “leftover donations” to the much-reviled ballroom.
You’ve probably heard of brutalist architecture. It’s useless and ornamental. It reflects the bad taste of its proponents.
This is brattish architecture. Many despots, notably Louis the 14th, the mass-murdering king who bankrupted France with his many wars, liked monumental architecture rather than competent architecture. The Palace of Versailles was built with no regard for sanitation, for example.
In the case of the US, however, there’s something grotesque about even the theory of a triumphal arch. What could possibly be less appropriate?
The United States is no longer anything like the beacon of hope it was from inception. The lack of originality and any specifically American characteristics of the proposed arch are absurd but typical of this administration.
What triumph is this useless arch commemorating? The worst living conditions since the Great Depression? An America at war with itself? An America that refuses to modernize or recognize the rights of its own citizens? Rampant criminality and corruption? The last mad bleat of an ex-superpower? The triumph of disgusting parasites pumping the life and identity out of America?
The best name for this new absurdity would be the Arc de Sleaze.
It’ll be a last-minute token of pseudo-patriotism, like the rest of Trump’s horrible facades. Stick a red cap made in China on it, and you’ve got your American icon.
Suggestion – Tear this insult down ASAP.
_________________________________________________________
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed in this Op-Ed are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Digital Journal or its members.
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