The Political Scene | The New Yorker Inside Trump’s Artless Takeover of the Kennedy Center
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Dec 11, 2025 Katy Waldman, a culture and arts staff writer at The New Yorker, delves into the Kennedy Center's transformation under Trump's leadership. She discusses this year's Kennedy Center Honors and how the guest list mirrors Trump's tastes, along with the politically charged atmosphere of the event. Waldman highlights the impacts of staff turnover and financial strains on operations, revealing the chaotic shifts within the institution. The conversation also touches on Trump's unique aesthetic vision, from his nostalgic influences to plans for a grand White House ballroom.
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Honorees Reflect Presidential Taste
- The 2025 Kennedy Center honorees closely reflected Donald Trump's personal tastes rather than typical institutional prestige.
- Katy Waldman argues the lineup painted a composite portrait of Trump's sensibility more than a cross-section of cultural luminaries.
MAGA Vibe In The Audience
- Katy Waldman describes the Honors' audience as a youthful, clean-cut, politically charged crowd that felt 'very MAGA.'
- She heard political conversations dominate over talk about art during the event.
Three-Part Programming Ecosystem
- The Kennedy Center hosts three programming strands: high classical prestige, crowd-pleasing popular shows, and a smaller Social Impact programming arm.
- Waldman says all three previously created a thriving ecosystem that Trump's changes now threaten.
