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The Kennedy Center, the living memorial to President Kennedy which Trump is attempting to name after himself, is hosting the premiere of a documentary about Melania Trump — from which she’s set to make at least $28 million.
The Kennedy Center has served as an apolitical arts institution for over six decades and across 11 administrations. Taxpayer dollars fund its building, while ticket sales and donations support programming.
This structure is meant to preserve it as a public space — not a political tool.
According to Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, contracts, invoices and facility-use agreements reveal that, under Trump’s new leadership, the Center is being used to enrich Trump’s allies and to dole out political favors.
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According to reports, Kennedy Center leadership has allegedly granted steep discounts and free rentals to political allies, awarded contracts to friends and given event space to groups like FIFA without the usual $5 million fee.
That’s publicly funded space being handed out for political or special interest benefit.
Invoices also show seemingly extravagant spending totaling nearly $40,000 on luxury hotels, lavish meals and hospitality for friends and staff.
Meanwhile, productions are reportedly being canceled or seeing massive ticket-sale declines — a clear waste of taxpayer money.
Senator Whitehouse says this reflects “an unprecedented pattern of self-dealing, favoritism, and waste.” This has the hallmarks of classic cronyism, where public resources are used for private gain.
In a letter to Whitehouse, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell contended that the FIFA deal was financially prudent and that hotel and meal expenses included donor-related spending and a routine welcome for new employees.
But let’s be clear: these dealings are just another example of the Trump administration’s cronyism and self-dealing.
If a high-profile cultural institution can be run in ways that appear politically motivated rather than focused on public service, what stops the same from happening to other federally funded programs?
Apparent mismanagement, conflicts of interest and lack of transparency at the Kennedy Center are a warning about how public resources can be abused — and taxpayers deserve answers.
CREW is working to hold the Trump administration accountable and to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions serve the public — not private or political interests. Help us keep up this work and join the fight for an ethical and accountable government by making a donation today → [[link removed]]
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Thank you,
Debra Perlin
Vice President for Policy
CREW
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