On his go to to the Kennedy Middle this afternoon, the humanities establishment’s new chairman of the board, President Donald Trump, was requested by a reporter why it was so essential for him to spend his time with the venue and on its lineup.
“You will have a lot in your plate. Why come right here at this time?” the reporter requested.
Trump answered, “This represents an important a part of D.C., and truly our nation, and I believe it’s essential to be sure that our nation is sweet form and is represented properly. When folks have a look at this — I’ve been listening to for a very long time that they arrive right here, they usually’re dissatisfied once they come right here. We wish them to be excited.”
Simply a few weeks into his presidency, amid the flurry of government orders and tariffs, Trump seized management of the Kennedy Middle and ensured that he was named chairman. He grew to become the primary president to take action, placing him able to not solely have a say in its programming, however probably who might be chosen in the case of the annual Kennedy Middle Honors.
Trump weighed in on the Kennedy Middle choices, which he has beforehand labeled too woke. After his takeover, quite a lot of artists have canceled exhibits, together with the producers of Hamilton, due for a run subsequent yr.
“I by no means favored ‘Hamilton’ very a lot,” Trump mentioned. “I by no means favored it. However we’re going to have some actually good exhibits. Come right here and watch it, and you will notice over a time period it can enhance very drastically bodily, and we’re going to get some excellent exhibits. The factor that does properly as Broadway hits.”
RELATED: ‘Hamilton’ Producers Cancel Upcoming Kennedy Middle Engagement Following Trump Takeover
The Kennedy Middle, as Trump famous, already has some on its schedule, in place since earlier than the takeover. That features Les Misérables.
Trump complained of the bodily construction of the Kennedy Middle, in addition to an growth that was made in recent times.
“They constructed these rooms that no one’s going to make use of, rooms underground, and I’ve usually puzzled, what are the massive cubes they’ve outdoors that block the view?” Trump mentioned. He seemed to be referring to the Attain, the growth of performing arts, studio and rehearsal areas that opened in 2019. The growth added three concrete pavilions that rise from a greenspace roof on the south finish of the middle.
He additionally complained that the columns that entrance the middle are “presupposed to be coated by one thing, whether or not it’s marble or granite or no matter. Carry it into extra trendy instances.”
He additionally complained of union guidelines on the heart.
“Lee Greenwood needed to sing somewhat track at this time, and due to the price within the union construction for him to sing a track only for the board, simply the board assembly, it was going to value $30,000. They needed $30,000 simply to maneuver a piano. So you may’t have that.”
