(WASHINGTON)— President Trump’s announcement that he will close the Kennedy Center for two years for renovations continues his effort to unilaterally commandeer the center and control American culture by fiat, following the autocrats’ playbook, PEN America said today.
“With this sudden announcement, President Trump is continuing his campaign to control American culture by fiat, it’s another page ripped from the playbook of autocrats worldwide,” said Jonathan Friedman, Sy Syms managing director of U.S. Free Expression programs. “Amid reports that a growing number of artists are pulling out and ticket sales are plummeting, this announcement may be about saving face or retaliation — or both. It is also the latest move by the President to undermine the independence of artistic and cultural institutions, while waging an assault on freedom of thought and the country’s rich cultural diversity. The full implications of this announcement are yet to be known; but it is clear that the President has again moved unilaterally, without consulting with Congress, as he did when renaming the center— a move that is being challenged in court as unlawful. Congress, which funds the Kennedy Center, should step in and exercise its oversight and consulting role over its future.”
Based on the record of past programming on the center’s website, a two-year closure would translate into the loss of thousands of events.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.