# Trump is Made Chair of the Kennedy Center **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 12, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248 "2025-02-12T21:55:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/221 "2026-01-07T13:33:30Z")
Apparently he now is making it a condition of receiving a Kennedy Center Honor that an artist do a ten week residency at the center. I somehow doubt that this will attract the high class talent he wants. ---
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/222 "2026-01-07T14:31:03Z")
I imagine that a Kennedy Center honor at this point is worth next to nothing. A lot of artists should be downright ashamed to receive one now. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/223 "2026-01-07T17:02:37Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > Apparently he now is making it a condition of receiving a Kennedy Center Honor that an artist do a ten week residency at the center. I somehow doubt that this will attract the high class talent he wants. Ten week residency? Sounds like a great way to waste fraud and abuse away taxpayer dollars and put it in the hands of Republican sycophants who want in on the grift. Now we can finally get Kid Rock on the US payroll. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/224 "2026-01-07T17:04:22Z")
What would a “residency” at that location entail? Who would supervise it? ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/225 "2026-01-07T17:31:30Z")
I was wondering the same thing. Or what about artists who don’t really do live performances, like, say, Sylvester Stallone or, to pick one from last year, Francis Ford Coppola? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/226 "2026-01-07T20:43:01Z")
I mean, a residency is whatever an organization defines it as. Concerts, talks, workshops, or attending events might all be possibilities. Or simply means you’re given access to the facilities to work on or exhibit/perform your own work, and both you and the organization can benefit from name recognition. If a functioning arts organization had Francis Ford Coppola in a 10 week residency, I would expect those 10 weeks might include: - 1-3 talks on various high-level topics, maybe “the state of film” or “how I think about art”. - A few “talkback” sessions after screenings of his movies. - If there are exhibit halls, there would probably be physical artifacts curated and on display. Pop-up museum on the history of film (this is something the Kennedy Center would put together in collaboration with Coppola’s “people”). - Maybe bring in some student film majors for some Q&A. - A ticketed gala fundraising event at the end of the residency. I don’t really know what an 80+ yr old filmmaker has the stamina or public speaking skills to pull off, but this seems reasonable to me. What kind of programming the Trump Kennedy Center has interest in facilitating, I have no idea. My impression is that it would likely involve parties for Republicans. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/227 "2026-01-09T14:26:09Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > I have no idea. My impression is that it would likely involve parties for Republicans. Who’s bringing the boom box? ---
**Author:** ![irae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f0a364/32.png) [@irae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irae)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/228 "2026-01-09T21:50:42Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Redd’s contract with the Kennedy center What Kennedy Center? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/229 "2026-01-09T22:30:55Z")
THE Kennedy Center. The one that is named that under federal law and cannot have its name changed or be made a memorial to anyone else without an act of Congress. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/230 "2026-01-09T23:21:20Z")
And now the Washington National Opera company is leaving the Kennedy Center, as reported by the New York Times. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/231 "2026-01-09T23:33:45Z")
Cite: > **[Washington National Opera Announces Plans to Leave the Kennedy Center](https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Washington-National-Opera-Announces-Plans-to-Leave-the-Kennedy-Center-20260109)** > > The Washington National Opera has approved a resolution to move its performances out of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, ending a relationship that has spanned more than five decades. The venue will quite likely be among the most beautiful to ever host professional wrestling, though. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/232 "2026-01-09T23:51:27Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > The venue will quite likely be among the most beautiful to ever host professional wrestling It won’t be AEW, considering Brody King’s ring attire lately; [![](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif/abolishiceprotest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brody-King-Abolish-ICE-Shirt2.jpg) ](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif/abolishiceprotest.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Brody-King-Abolish-ICE-Shirt2.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/233 "2026-01-09T23:57:24Z")
I may be old-fashioned because I think that a city should have professional opera and ballet companies as well as a symphony orchestra to consider itself cultured, and that’s especially true of a national capital. The Washington National Opera isn’t abandoning the city but it is an indication that the Kennedy Center is no longer the premiere performing arts venue there. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/234 "2026-01-10T00:44:35Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > It won’t be AEW, considering Brody King’s ring attire lately; Mick Foley won’t be there either. > **[Wrestling legend Mick Foley parts ways with WWE over its Trump ties, cites...](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/wrestler-mick-foley-parts-ways-wwe-trump-ties-cites-rob-reiner-remarks-rcna249554)** > > The wrestling star, who also alternated among the personas of Mankind, Dude Love and Cactus Jack, said, "I no longer wish to represent a company that coddles a man so seemingly void of compassion." ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/235 "2026-01-10T01:57:00Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > THE Kennedy Center. The one that is named that under federal law and cannot have its name changed or be made a memorial to anyone else without an act of Congress. I was glad to hear that the local station WAMU (plug) was still calling it the Kennedy center without any reference to Trump when they were announcing upcoming performances. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/236 "2026-01-10T05:19:16Z")
It’s a small thing but I am glad the opera is leaving. My parents have season tickets and have been debating what to do. They were going to attend the spring season since it was already paid for but considered giving up their subscription. They still may choose to stop going but it won’t be because of Trump and they won’t feel as bad about the spring season. I hope the ballet and the symphony leave next. There are plenty of theaters in DC and the immediate area. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/237 "2026-01-10T08:18:12Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The one that is named that under federal law and cannot have its name changed or be made a memorial to anyone else without an act of Congress. Federal Law is being ignored on a daily basis. Congress is doing nothing about it. The good judges who are left are trying, but there is nobody to enforce their decisions. The Trump name is not coming off of the Kennedy Center anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/238 "2026-01-10T09:06:03Z")
> [@Disinfectus](#): > > Federal Law is being ignored on a daily basis. Congress is doing nothing about it. Well, they specifically opted not to change the name, for one. > **[Trump may have his name on the building but it's still the Kennedy Center to...](https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-congress-republicans-34c48872cf3a5cfee996aca73ec7141f)** > > President Donald Trump may have his name on the building but it's still the Kennedy Center to Congress. > [@Disinfectus](#): > > The Trump name is not coming off of the Kennedy Center anytime soon. I give it about 3 years and 10 days. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/239 "2026-01-10T09:12:51Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Well, they specifically opted not to change the name, for one. And what precisely have they done about being ignored? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/240 "2026-01-10T09:19:39Z")
The name of the building is still “The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” no matter what tacky sign they stick on the marquee. > [@Disinfectus](#): > > what precisely have they done about being ignored? Filed suit in federal court? > **[Lawmaker sues to remove Trump's name from Kennedy Center](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79x0x7v70go)** > > Rep Joyce Beatty, who sits on the centre's board, argues the name change is illegal because it requires approval from Congress. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=13)