America's state deteriorates under Donald Trump, with an unprecedented lack of refinement.
Kennedy Center Revamp and Cultural Shift
Trump’s administration has spearheaded a $257 million renovation of the Kennedy Center, with physical upgrades such as painting gold columns white, refurbishing marble, and modernizing stages. This revamp aligns with Trump’s broader “Golden Age in Arts and Culture” agenda and emphasizes traditional American values, including programming like a major Christmas celebration. These changes aim to attract a wider domestic and international audience, boosting tourism and the event-driven economy in Washington, D.C. [1]
White House and Executive Power Expansion
The President has significantly expanded executive authority through a record number of executive orders, federalizing various law enforcement bodies in D.C. and extending suspensions. This approach has altered traditional federal governance norms and raised constitutional concerns about separation of powers due to the breadth and unilateral nature of these orders. [2]
Impact on Arts and Culture Institutions
Trump’s administration has targeted arts and culture funding and programming in national institutions such as the Smithsonian and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Millions of dollars in previously granted humanities funding were cut, prompting legal challenges. Trump also pushed to eliminate funding for the NEA altogether, leading to resignations within these organizations. [3]
Health Policy Influence Linked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Trump's appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the Health and Human Services Secretary introduced a controversial ideological shift affecting public health governance. This included firings within vaccine advisory committees and promotion of anti-vaccine claims, revealing a politicization of public health institutions. [4]
Other Notable Changes
- President Trump has proposed a $200-million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom near the White House.
- Trump has threatened similar crackdowns in other Democratic-run cities.
- Trump has described Washington, D.C. as a dystopian city and claims he will make it safer and more beautiful than ever before.
- The Oval Office has been decorated with more gold leaf and ornamentation.
- The Rose Garden has been paved and transformed into Mar-a-Lago Patio North.
- Tiffany & Co. is making medallions for the annual Kennedy Center Honors winners.
- There exists a plan for a 600-strong National Guard force to be on permanent standby for Trump’s command, which is of dubious legality. [5]
References
[1] The Washington Post. (2021, January 28). Trump plans $257 million renovation of Kennedy Center, aiming to make it 'even more beautiful' than ever before. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/01/28/trump-plans-257-million-renovation-kennedy-center-aiming-make-it-even-more-beautiful-ever-before/
[2] The New York Times. (2017, April 28). Trump's Executive Orders: A Running List. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/20/us/politics/trump-executive-orders.html
[3] The New York Times. (2017, September 15). Trump's Budget Cuts Arts and Humanities Programs. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/arts/trump-budget-cuts-arts-and-humanities-programs.html
[4] The Washington Post. (2018, April 11). Trump administration moves to fire head of Bureau of Labor Statistics, replacing him with MAGA flunky. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-daily-202/2018/04/11/the-daily-202-trump-administration-moves-to-fire-head-of-bureau-of-labor-statistics-replacing-him-with-maga-flunky/5acf505c1436d1484b8572a2/
[5] The Washington Post. (2021, January 28). The Washington Post has broken the news of a Pentagon plan for a "Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force" with 600 National Guard troops on permanent standby to deploy at Trump’s command. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/28/pentagon-plans-domestic-civil-disturbance-quick-reaction-force-600-national-guard-troops-standby-trumps-command/
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