Former South Park writer possesses domain names for Trump and Kennedy Center.
President Donald Trump’s management of the Kennedy Center has sparked significant controversy, leading to alienation among artists and anger from members of the Kennedy family. The decision to prominently display Trump’s name at the venerable institution, created as a living tribute to the late President John F. Kennedy, has provoked considerable debate about the implications for the future of this cultural landmark.
Toby Morton, a comedy writer with credits including “South Park” and “Mad TV,” has emerged as a notable figure in this unfolding narrative. Sensing a shift in the Kennedy Center’s branding, Morton proactively acquired the domain names “trumpkennedycenter.org” and “trumpkennedycenter.com” last August. This move followed his observations of Trump reshaping the Kennedy Center’s board and his speculation that Trump intended to transform the venue into a monument reflecting his own persona.
Morton, who brands himself as a “Creator of Anti-Fascist Websites” on social media, has a history of purchasing domain names linked to political figures, which he uses to create parody accounts. He indicated that the websites he acquired would “absolutely reflect the absurdity of the moment,” suggesting a satirical approach to the developments at the Kennedy Center. He emphasized that the institution was intended to be a cultural beacon rather than a platform for personal branding, making satire a natural response to the current situation.
While the Kennedy Center continues to operate under the original domain, the top of its homepage currently identifies the building as the Trump Kennedy Center. However, legal complexities surround the formal renaming of the building, which was designated as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts through an Act of Congress in 1964.
Trump’s direct involvement with the Kennedy Center has not been without repercussions. Recently, renowned jazz drummer Chuck Redd canceled a Christmas Eve performance at the venue, an event he had participated in for nearly two decades. His decision came after the Trump administration officially added the president’s name to the building’s facade. In response, Richard Grenell, appointed by Trump as the Kennedy Center President, dispatched a letter to Redd, threatening legal action against him for a purported breach of contract valued at million.
This tumultuous period coincided with Trump’s attempt to host the annual Kennedy Center Honors, an event that reportedly garnered its smallest television audience to date, raising questions about his ability to connect with the arts community and the public at large.
As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen what long-lasting impacts Trump’s stewardship and the name change will have on the Kennedy Center and its standing within the American cultural landscape.
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