Posted on 03/26/2020 2:12:44 PM PDT by gattaca
President Trump on Wednesday defended the inclusion of $25 million in funding for the Kennedy Center as part of the massive economic relief bill aimed at boosting small businesses and workers harmed by the fallout of the coronavirus.
Trump fashioned himself a supporter of the arts, arguing that the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is deserving of assistance given its inability to put on shows as officials ban large gatherings to try to curb the spread of the virus.
"I’m a fan of that," Trump said of the funding. "I haven’t spent time there because I’m far too busy. I’d love to go there evenings, but I’m too busy doing things."
"The Kennedy Center, they do a beautiful job, an incredible job," he added.
The president said an initial draft of the Senate’s roughly $2 trillion economic package called for $35 million in aid for the performing arts center, a figure that was later decreased to $25 million.
Many conservatives have cited the funding as an example of unnecessary spending in a bill meant to immediately assist workers and small businesses upended by the coronavirus.
The Kennedy Center has a bipartisan board of trustees, which includes first lady Melania Trump.
The arts hub, located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is among the businesses impacted by federal guidelines that have called for Americans to limit gatherings to 10 or more people. The mayor of Washington, D.C., has also ordered nonessential businesses to close to try to contain the virus outbreak.
"You couldn't go there if you wanted to," the president said. "If I wanted to go there tonight to look at 'Romeo and Juliet' — I’d love to see 'Romeo and Juliet' tonight. But you know what would happen? Sorry, 250 people or 50 people or whatever it might be down to."
The president and first lady have skipped attending the Kennedy Center Honors gala each of the past three years.
Is the Art of the Deal I keep hearing about?
Pork is a major problem for both parties.
Media pathetically making it look this was Trump’s pork.
If Trump supports it, the Dems will oppose it......good bye Kennedy Center?
I saw it.
It seemed to me that they actually were able to back him into a corner to support it because negotiations were still ongoing.
There are dozens of “Kennedy Centers” in this country.
The dems presented 3 trillion in additional spending and they end up with 25 million for the kennedy center
I call that the art of the deal any day of the week
I agree with that
He said and implied over and over again that it was a bone to throw to the Democrats, their idea, not his. And yet I don’t see the word “Democrat” anywhere in this article. Why not?
and 75 mill for NPR/PBS?
Nurse Nancy wants to be known as saving the Kennedy Center.But honestly she is trying to save the Kennedy Center Awards Show for her friends.
4D Chess?
Apparently as long as there are Democrats we will be having to tolerate the smell, and the cost.
yep. Exactly.
I expect that the impact of a functioning Kennedy Center is that upscale restaurants, bars, and hotels will be able to operate. That impacts thousands of employees in NY.
We keep getting donation pleas, from area theatres.
I think I’ll tell them to call up Congress and The Kennedy Center, and ask for a piece of their YUGE pie.
The Kennedy Center is a tomb nobody goes to it.People go to walk around the rooftop balcony for the view. In 4 years it will be renovated into the Trump library.
Getting some of his own people on the board, hopefully.
No deal is perfect, and time is of the essence.
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