# 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:** 31
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/601 "2026-06-19T16:03:17Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Option 2: Their employer accepted payment for a court-ordered job they did not do. Criminal conspiracy. We don’t know that they’ve been paid. Nor were they ordered by the Court to do anything. The Kennedy Center was ordered to take down Trump’s name. These guys might have been hired to put up a tarp and nothing more. However, I believe the Kennedy Center complied with the court’s order. The consequences for falsely certifying that that had done so are just too great to risk it over such a stupid thing. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/602 "2026-06-19T16:07:04Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The consequences for falsely certifying that that had done so are just too great to risk it over such a stupid thing. It is the Kennedy Center officials that _might potentially_ be accused of such a thing, not the workers who were “just following orders”, and it doesn’t look like those Trump appointees see the courts as anything but Enemies Of The Trumpstate. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/603 "2026-06-19T16:10:59Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > By putting the phrase ‘back up’ in scare quotes, are you predicting that, in the final best historical record, the letters were up on June 19, 2026, or that they were down? No, I mean they where never taken down and Trump will pay contractors millions to put them ‘back up’. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/604 "2026-06-19T16:22:08Z")
The crew spent how man hours erecting unnecessary scaffolding and standing around. I wonder if that’s how they approach all tasks given to them. Five times more people than needed so they can take turns working. Sounds like a fun job. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/605 "2026-06-19T16:23:04Z")
The fact remains that all this pointless speculation is fuelled by inadequate transparency of what should be transparent (the outside of a large public building in an urban area). I tend to reject conspiracy theories, so I’m not buying the 3-D chess-style plots detailed in the last few posts, but there must be an actual reason why everything is covered. It is unlikely that it is to protect repairs to the surface from the elements, so what is the reason? It could simply be graft: somebody is renting the (unnecessary) tarp and equipment, and the longer it’s in place, the more they charge. This seems the easiest and most likely explanation, but at the end of the day, all we know is that this isn’t as honest and straightforward as it should be. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/606 "2026-06-19T17:01:48Z")
I also usually dispense with conspiracy theories, but when it comes to the current administration the fact that illegality and/or chance of success and/or lack of logic is involved is not an argument against any plot put forth. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/607 "2026-06-19T19:22:43Z")
The only way to believe that those letters are down is to give Trump the benefit of the doubt. I will leave the rest to the individual. I know where I stand when it comes to giving Trump the benefit of the doubt. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/608 "2026-06-19T20:00:18Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I tend to reject conspiracy theories, so I’m not buying the 3-D chess-style plots detailed in the last few posts, but there must be an actual reason why everything is covered. It is unlikely that it is to protect repairs to the surface from the elements, so what is the reason? It could simply be graft: somebody is renting the (unnecessary) tarp and equipment, and the longer it’s in place, the more they charge. This seems the easiest and most likely explanation, but at the end of the day, all we know is that this isn’t as honest and straightforward as it should be. I’m not a fan of conspiracy theories, either. In these sorts of situations I usually find that the simplest explanation is the most likely to be correct. We know that Trump is an egomaniac with a vindictive, infantile personality. It seems likely he’s trying to avoid the public seeing that his name is actually removed, and additionally, fully believes that he’ll win the series of appeals he’s launched and the name can be put right back on before the tarp is removed. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/609 "2026-06-19T20:09:51Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It seems likely he’s trying to avoid the public seeing that his name is actually removed, and additionally, fully believes that he’ll win the series of appeals he’s launched and the name can be put right back on before the tarp is removed. I expect the tarp to remain until the end of his presidency. The funny thing is that its presence just makes Trump seem even weaker than his name not appearing on the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/610 "2026-06-19T20:14:33Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I expect the tarp to remain until the end of his presidency. Does DC ever get heavy winds? They might blow enough of the tarp away for everyone to see for sure. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/611 "2026-06-19T21:04:19Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I expect the tarp to remain until the end of his presidency. The funny thing is that its presence just makes Trump seem even weaker than his name not appearing on the wall. It makes him look like a child, which, mentally, he is. But maybe the tarp will come down after enough objections are raised about this ugly disfigurement of a national institution. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/612 "2026-06-19T21:45:23Z")
What an embarrassment. Between the green pool, unsightly tarp that everyone knows the reason for, and the bad publicity, how can The Dipshit not realize he is a laughing stock? ---
**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:** [June 19, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/613 "2026-06-19T22:16:50Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It seems likely he’s trying to avoid the public seeing that his name is actually removed, and additionally, fully believes that he’ll win the series of appeals he’s launched and the name can be put right back on before the tarp is removed Is there a “series of appeals”? Last I heard he’d given up on the Center altogether and said it was Congress’ problem now. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/614 "2026-06-19T22:23:56Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Is there a “series of appeals”? Last I heard he’d given up on the Center altogether and said it was Congress’ problem now.   No, AFAIK there is still an ongoing appeal. There is not in fact a continuing “series of appeals”, but I’m assuming that if this one fails, too, they’ll find a way to launch another one. This may shed a bit more light on the ongoing craziness of the kind that only Trump could provoke: > **[The Kennedy Center Legal Situation Keeps Getting Weirder - Washingtonian](https://washingtonian.com/2026/06/16/kennedy-center-legal-situation-keeps-getting-weirder/)** > > Trump's tarp is just the start. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/615 "2026-06-20T00:04:22Z")
I suggested earlier that some anti-Trump activists have “The john F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” printed on t-shirts and stand in front of the tarp. Keep the issue, and Trump’s petulance in the news as long as it takes. As an alternative, get a projector and project the name on the tarp for all to see. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2026, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/616 "2026-06-20T00:27:07Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > [@Disinfectus](#): > > > > A number of the workers I saw were hispanic. I highly doubt they would be willing to risk Trump’s vengance, considering his administration’s treatment of them. > > I don’t like the conspiracy theory vibe of the previous two posts, but there is something about the comment above that particularly rubs me the wrong way. > > There are cowards among every ethnicity, but do not some Hispanics react to the administration’s treatment of them with bravery? It’s not brave to poke a bear, it’s just dumb. Between this administration’s demonstrated hatred for Hispanic people and Trump’s favorite hobby of unleashing a team of lawyers on anyone who he deems has wronged him, it’s pretty easy to see why nobody vulnerable would want to get on his radar. Hell, there are even multiple members of Congress who are afraid of provoking him. If they won’t, why would a construction worker? And the only reason I brought up that some of them were Hispanic is because I don’t think there is a minority group that he has gone after as thoroughly and as viciously as hispanic people. Many of them are literally terrified of ICE and I don’t think any of them are cowards because of it. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/617 "2026-06-20T01:32:25Z")
How closely is the tarp guarded? I can’t believe some scofflaw hasn’t run behind the it and snapped some pics. It would probably be a hassle, but you’d be a temporary hero. ---
**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:** [June 20, 2026, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/618 "2026-06-20T01:34:28Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Given Trump’s track record with court order compliance, I am pretty sure that Trump is up to some bullshit. I have zero confidence that his name was removed until I see it for myself. They are currently refusing to comply with another court order. “The DOJ is refusing to comply with a federal judge’s demand that top Trump administration officials swear under penalty of perjury that a nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is truly dead.” They clearly don’t care about silly court orders. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/619 "2026-06-20T03:34:12Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Not to put too fine a point on this, but presumably these workers are professionals at building construction/maintenance/etc, not organized political activists. This characterization of the workers somehow bothers me even more than @Disinfectus’s one bothered @PhillyGuy. Some of the most brilliant and dedicated political activists I know are construction and maintenance workers. Just because someone earns their living through manual labour doesn’t mean they aren’t politically conscious, active, and organized. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/620 "2026-06-20T03:45:16Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Just because someone earns their living through manual labour doesn’t mean they aren’t politically conscious, active, and organized. Sure, they can be both. But as I further noted, most people doing their jobs are looking to do their jobs. There’s a difference being being politically conscious and being actively subversive. I would hope even politically conscious people understand context - if they feel strongly about the propriety of the letters being taken down (or not being taken down), that doesn’t necessarily mean they feel it is appropriate that they take photos of it happening while also taking money to do that job. I would think most people would actually have to think seriously about it in the same position. To the extent I find anything bothering, it’s the idea that surely one of the workers must have been opportunist enough to do so. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=30) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=32)