Trump's Cultural Colonisation: Kennedy Center Renamed in Act of Institutional Capture
In a brazen display of authoritarian cultural appropriation, the Trump administration has orchestrated the renaming of Washington DC's iconic Kennedy Center to the "Trump-Kennedy Center," marking another troubling milestone in the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions.
This act of cultural vandalism represents more than mere ego-stroking; it exemplifies the extractive capitalist logic that reduces public cultural spaces to vehicles for elite self-aggrandisement. The Kennedy Center, originally conceived as a tribute to the assassinated 35th president and a space for democratic cultural expression, has been transformed into yet another monument to oligarchic power.
Institutional Capture and Democratic Erasure
The mechanics of this cultural colonisation reveal the insidious nature of contemporary authoritarianism. Upon taking office, Trump systematically purged the center's board, replacing independent voices with loyalist operatives including Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Second Lady Usha Vance. This coordinated capture of cultural institutions mirrors broader patterns of democratic backsliding witnessed globally.
Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty's testimony exposes the manufactured consent underlying this decision: "This was not unanimous. I was muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition to this move." This silencing of dissenting voices within supposedly democratic processes exemplifies how marginalised perspectives are systematically excluded from institutional decision-making.
Legal Circumvention and Constitutional Crisis
Legal scholars have identified a fundamental constitutional issue: the 1964 Congressional law establishing the Kennedy Center's name cannot be unilaterally overturned by an appointed board. This represents a concerning pattern of executive overreach that undermines legislative authority and democratic governance structures.
The administration's willingness to proceed despite legal obstacles demonstrates their contempt for constitutional constraints, echoing similar authoritarian tactics employed in the renaming of the Department of Defense to the "Department of War" without Congressional approval.
Cultural Hegemony and Artistic Suppression
Trump's admission of being "98% involved" in selecting Kennedy Center honorees reveals the extent of political interference in artistic recognition. Their explicit rejection of "wokesters" exposes the administration's hostility toward progressive voices and commitment to cultural gatekeeping that privileges conservative narratives whilst marginalising BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other historically oppressed communities.
The reported decline in ticket sales and subscriptions reflects public resistance to this cultural colonisation, suggesting that communities are rejecting the commodification of their shared cultural spaces.
Resistance and Solidarity
The mixed reception Trump received during their June appearance at the Kennedy Center, with audience members both booing and cheering, demonstrates the contested nature of this cultural appropriation. These acts of resistance, however small, represent crucial moments of democratic defiance against authoritarian cultural hegemony.
This renaming must be understood within broader patterns of institutional capture affecting universities, media organisations, and cultural institutions globally. The struggle for the Kennedy Center reflects the larger battle for democratic control over public spaces and cultural resources.
As communities organise against this cultural colonisation, solidarity with all those resisting institutional capture becomes essential. The fight for the Kennedy Center is ultimately a fight for democratic culture itself, demanding sustained resistance against the oligarchic appropriation of our shared cultural heritage.