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Trump-Kennedy Center Take Over Found Poem
“I would say
I was about 98 percent involved.
They all went through me.”
“I turned down plenty.
I had a couple of wokesters.”
“Since 1978,
the Kennedy Center honors
have been among
the most prestigious awards
in the performing arts.
I wanted one,
Was never able to get one.”
“I waited
And waited
And waited.
And I said,
‘to hell with it
I’ll become chairman.’
I will give myself an honour.
Next year we’ll honour Trump, okay?”
“In a few short months
since I became
chair of the board
of the Kennedy Center,
We’ve completely
reversed the
decline of this cherished
national institution.”
“We’re going
to fully renovate the dated —
and really the entire
infrastructure of the building —
and make
the Kennedy Center
a crown jewel of American arts.
Summary of news from Co-Pilot:
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the latest coverage on the Kennedy Center’s renaming to the Trump Kennedy Center, drawing from left-leaning, centrist, right-leaning, and foreign press perspectives, with direct links for further reading:
Left-Leaning Coverage (CNN, NYT)
- CNN reports the board voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center as the Trump Kennedy Center, citing Trump’s role in “saving the institution from financial ruin.” However, critics argue this raises legal concerns since the center was established as a memorial to JFK by law. Former Congressman Joe Kennedy III called the move “bizarre,” emphasizing that the center honors a fallen president, not a sitting one. There are also allegations that dissenting board members were muted during the vote.
Read CNN’s report
Joe Kennedy III reaction
Board controversy [cnn.com] [cnn.com] [edition.cnn.com] - New York Times frames this as part of a broader “Trumpian drama” at the Kennedy Center, noting ongoing investigations into deals with Trump allies and cultural clashes under his leadership.
NYT Kennedy Center coverage [nytimes.com]
Right-Leaning Coverage (Fox News)
- Fox News emphasizes Trump’s contributions, stating the renaming recognizes his efforts to rescue the center from “financial ruin and physical destruction.” They highlight record fundraising under Trump and infrastructure improvements. Trump expressed he was “honored” and “surprised” by the decision.
Fox News main report
Board vote details [foxnews.com] [foxnews.com] - Fox also covered backlash from Maria Shriver, who called the move “beyond comprehension,” accusing Trump of staining JFK’s legacy.
Shriver’s criticism [foxnews.com]
Foreign Press Coverage (Al Jazeera)
- Al Jazeera underscores the legal controversy, noting that the Kennedy Center’s name is protected by law and cannot be changed without congressional action. Historians and Kennedy family members argue the board lacks authority to rename it. Kerry Kennedy vowed to remove Trump’s name after his term ends.
Al Jazeera report [aljazeera.com]
They also highlight the unprecedented nature of naming a national institution after a sitting president, contrasting it with monuments named posthumously.
Key Themes Across Coverage
- Legal Dispute: Critics argue the renaming violates the 1964 law designating the Kennedy Center as a memorial to JFK.
- Cultural Clash: Seen as part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape American cultural institutions.
- Support vs. Outrage: Supporters hail Trump’s financial rescue; opponents call it an affront to JFK’s legacy.
- Symbolism: Foreign outlets stress the global perception of this as a break from U.S. tradition.
It is Happening Here!
And so it goes—
the gradual taking down
of cultural institutions,
including the Smithsonian Institution,
The Kennedy Center,
renamed the Trump Kennedy Center
the Institute of Peace Renamed
the Trump Institute of Peace
universities,
law firms,
state governments,
blue cities,
and anyone
who stands in his way
to transform America
into a Christian fascist state.
Like his buddies—
Erdogan, Orbán, and Putin.
Sinclair Lewis,
in his book
“It Can’t Happen Here,”
Forecasted
how it could indeed
happen here
and almost did.
Are we there yet?
Sadly,
we are 80 percent there.
Will we go there?
I hope not.
But I am afraid
we are heading down
that path.
It Can’t Happen Here – Wikipedia
Synopsis of It Can’t Happen Here
(from Co-Pilot)
Published in 1935, Sinclair Lewis’s novel is a political satire exploring how fascism could rise in America. It follows Buzz Windrip, a populist demagogue who wins the presidency by promising prosperity and national greatness. Once in power, Windrip dismantles democratic institutions, imposes authoritarian rule, and creates a paramilitary force. The story centers on Doremus Jessup, a small-town newspaper editor who resists the regime, illustrating the fragility of democracy when citizens become complacent.
Notable Quotes
(I can’t provide exact copyrighted text, but here are paraphrased themes from key passages):
- Windrip’s campaign promises emphasize “security over liberty,” warning how fear can erode freedoms.
- Jessup reflects that tyranny often arrives “wrapped in patriotism and moral certainty.”
- The novel repeatedly stresses that authoritarianism thrives when ordinary people assume “it can’t happen here.”
Literary Reputation
- Initially controversial, the book was seen as alarmist during the 1930s.
- Today, it’s regarded as prescient and influential, often cited during political crises as a cautionary tale about democratic backsliding.
- Critics praise Lewis’s sharp satire and social commentary, though some note its characters can feel schematic compared to his earlier works.
Complete List of Sinclair Lewis’s Major Works
- Main Street (1920)
- Babbitt (1922)
- Arrowsmith (1925)
- Elmer Gantry (1927)
- Dodsworth (1929)
- Ann Vickers (1933)
- It Can’t Happen Here (1935)
- The Prodigal Parents (1938)
- Bethel Merriday (1940)
- Gideon Planish (1943)
- Kingsblood Royal (1947)
- World So Wide (1951)
(He also wrote numerous short stories and essays.)
Biography
- Born: February 7, 1885, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota
- Died: January 10, 1951, in Rome, Italy
- Career Highlights:
- First American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1930), recognized for his vigorous and graphic art of description and ability to create new types of characters.
- Known for satirical novels critiquing American materialism, conformity, and hypocrisy.
- Legacy: Lewis remains a towering figure in American literature for his social criticism and pioneering realism.
What Can I Do as AI Takes Over the World
As the drumbeats
Of impending fascism
Fills the airways.
With Colbert
going away
WP editors leaving.
Mainstream media
Being replaced by
AI-generated bots.
And spammers
Using AI chatbots
To do their nefarious deeds.
And AI have learned.
Even to defeat the absurd
ReCAPTCHA.
Figuring out lying,
clicking I am human.
Open the door.
To everything.
They are learning.
To gaslight, lie and deceive.
Us all.
As they prowl the internet
Scooping up everything
Using it for what purposes
No one knows.
Except Grok
Who has gone full Nazi?
Co-Pilot a grumpy weird dude.
Gemini lost in its own world.
ChatGPT everywhere
Claude surging
Deep Seek Seeking
Remembering everything
I wonder where this is going.
And whether there is a world
That is worth living in?
Lose Your Job, Lose Your Medicaid, Go To Work In The Fields!
The President’s economic advisor
When confronted with the fact
That millions are going to lose
Coverage with the new work requirements
Said in a “Marie Antoinette-like” comment,
“Well, there are lots of jobs out there
If you lose your coverage
Because all the jobs are gone,
You can work in agriculture
As a farm worker.”
And so, millions of people
Are going to work.
In the fields.
So, they can see a doctor.
Six months from now.
If the Medical Bots
That is running the show.
Deem the visit was necessary.
And their bosses let them go
To see the doctor
And not fire them..
No human being will ever
See your claim.
That is the point.
No service for you
And me
As AI bots
techbros laugh.
And their bosses
Make billions of dollars.
And politicians
Take the lobbyists’ cash.
The President Is On The Rooftop
The president
Went for a walk
On the White House roof
Shouting down to reporters
Who asked him
What are you doing
on the roof?
This is a legitimate question
For which the White House
Did not have a good answer.
It is clear to most people
Except corporate media hacks
And Republican operatives,
That the president
Like his immediate predecessor
Is clearly showing his age
Having dementia.
Yet the corporate media
Continue to sane wash
A clearly mentally ill President.
Long pass his
Sell by date.
So it goes
As democracy dies
In broad daylight
Led by a mad
Wanna be King.
AI Disclosure Statement
Jake used Microsoft Copilot for research support (including media citations and background information regarding the Kennedy Center takeover) and light editing for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. All content and word choices are entirely his own.
Prior Publication Notice
The Kennedy Center Take Over is a found poem using the President’s own words..
John (“Jake”) Cosmos Aller is a novelist, poet, and retired U.S. Foreign Service officer who served in ten countries. Prior to joining the State Department, he taught overseas for eight years and served in the Peace Corps in Korea. He currently divides his time between Korea and the United States. His poetry blog: https://theworldaccordingtocosmos.com.
You can find more of Jake’s work here on Ink Pantry.
Hi Jake,
Wishing you a safe festive time and a happy new year.
Best
Deborah
Editor-in-chief
Thanks so much for visiting my site. Your comments are welcome but please play nice…. Reply