Today, Explained Trump vs. DC
55 snips
Mar 26, 2026 
Philip Kennicott, a Washington Post architecture critic, and Jonathan L. Fisher, a senior editor at The Atlantic, dig into Trump’s bid to remake Washington. They track the Kennedy Center takeover, the backlash from artists and audiences, and the shift in programming. They also explore how monuments, design rules, and a proposed victory arch could change the capital’s civic meaning.
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How Trump Took Control Of The Kennedy Center
- Trump used his appointment power to fire Kennedy Center board members, install loyalists, and make himself chairman for the first time.
- Jonathan L. Fisher says the move quickly politicized a historically nonpartisan arts institution and concentrated programming control in the White House.
Artists And Audiences Deserted The Kennedy Center
- Artists and audiences responded to the takeover by walking away, canceling appearances, and boycotting ticket sales.
- Ben Folds and Renée Fleming quit, Issa Rae withdrew, Hamilton canceled its 2026 run, and Fisher says subscriptions and ticket revenue dropped sharply.
Programming Shifted From Arts To Political Spectacle
- The Kennedy Center's identity is shifting from a national arts venue toward a politically flavored event space.
- Fisher cites Christian events, a Saudi investment forum, the FIFA World Cup draw, and Trump personally picking Honors recipients like Sylvester Stallone and Kiss.