Trump names Trump Chair of Kennedy Center

"It's a great honor," says Trump, congratulating himself

Donald Trump announced a takeover of the Kennedy Center because he likes announcing takeovers. Soon thereafter, he appointed some of his sycophants and their spouses as new members of the Center’s Board of Trustees. Following this, Trump’s newly appointed Board of Trustees voted to name Trump as its Chairman. Trump immediately praised the Trump Board of Trustees as “amazing!” and he then congratulated himself, in the third person, saying “Trump was named Chairman.” When interviewed, Trump said: “We took over the Kennedy Center, and l think we're going to make it hot. And we made the presidency hot. So, this should be easy.”

The progression of announcements was so self-indulgent that several esteemed psychologists attempted to define a new term for Trump’s extreme public narcissism. The top contender so far: id-iocy.

For those unfamiliar (like Trump), President Eisenhower created a National Cultural Center in DC in 1958. His successor, President Kennedy, launched a $30M fundraising campaign for its construction. After President Kennedy’s assassination, an Act of Congress designated it as a living memorial to Kennedy, in recognition of his devotion to the procurement, curation, and advancement of the performing arts.

Now that Trump has taken over the Center, speculation has begun: Will Melania redecorate? Will the words cultural diversity be stricken from the Center’s mandate? Will the Proud Boys handle security? How will Trump forcibly ram religion into the Center’s programming and mission? Will the gift shop sell crypto, memes, and NFT’s? Will the Center take on A-List corporate sponsors, like X, MyPillow, and Rudy’s Coffee?

NOTE: Actress, writer and comedian, Issa Rae announced on social media today that she was canceling an engagement next month at the Kennedy Center. Renowned soprano Renee Fleming said she’d step down as an artistic adviser, as did singer and songwriter Ben Folds. And TV producer and writer Shonda Rhimes resigned as treasurer of the Kennedy Center’s board.

IN CLOSING, our Banters collaboration will continue to present a more complete picture of what we’ll face ahead with frank exchanges that never pull punches. We’re resisters. And resistance needs focus and perspective. Outspoken HATES Trump, pure and simple. Shallow State says that what he really hates, is TrumpISM, the apparatus, and the fact that truth is being trampled. For more info on who we are check out our Welcome Issue, and follow us on Bluesky and yeah, Twitter.

Credits: Art by Outspoken