HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s sister appeared on CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront this Tuesday. She was asked about the latest travesty we've seen from Trump and his cronies trying to destroy the Kennedy Center now that a federal judge ruled in "no uncertain terms that Trump's loyalists installed on the board of the Kennedy Center can’t break or skirt the law by putting his name on it without Congress’ approval."
Kennedy had a hard time containing her disgust and whacked Trump for bankrupting everything he touches, and for holding the Kennedy Center hostage after this latest ruling. I was glad to see her knock down Burnett's ridiculous question about whether she'd rather see it shut down than have Trump's name on it, reminding her that yes, it is a false choice given the court's ruling.
BURNETT: What's your reaction to the board voting to shut down the Kennedy Center altogether?
KENNEDY: Well, this is a tragedy. You know, the American people love the Kennedy Center. They love the arts. They understand what's going on, and they see the corruption of this.
There's not a financial issue here. President Trump has said they have $250 million ready to hand over tomorrow. He's just withholding it because he wants his name on the building.
So this is like so many other things that Trump has touched. It's a bankruptcy because he adds his name to it.
BURNETT: So Trump is obviously very focused on this. He posted about it multiple times today. One of the times, Kerry, he said, "the renovation of reconstruction cannot begin until such time as the D.C. Circuit rules on the board's approved name," of course, referring to the Trump Kennedy Center.
And then he continued, Kerry, to say, He is the "only one" who can save the center because "I have the ability to raise the money and the ability to construct that few others have."
What do you say to that?
KENNEDY: Well, I think honestly, there's a war in Iran that's costing us billions and billions of dollars, $40 billion so far. And that's just through July, as you just reported.
We have skyrocketing gas prices. We have people who have to choose between going to the doctor or paying their rent. We have real pain in our country.
President Trump, please focus on what's important. Leave the Kennedy Center alone. Allow us to move forward with this great art center, this monument to a slain president, and leave it alone. Focus on your job.
BURNETT: So the board says it's facing certain fiscal collapse within weeks, right? And they're saying that's unless Trump's name is added, because his name, they say, is what would get the money back in.
Do you think that's a false choice? I mean, would you rather the Kennedy Center... yeah, go ahead.
KENNEDY: According to the Trump White House, they $250 million already raised. Just open up the checkbook and send the money. I don't see what the issue is here.
BURNETT: So would you rather it stay closed or reopens with Trump's name on it? I mean, I guess it's a matter of how long you can keep it closed.
KENNEDY: I mean, to me, that's a false choice. That is not the choice here. That's something he's making up in his own head.
The courts have to be complied with. The court said you can't put your name on it. Then all of a sudden, it's bankrupt. But all of sudden, if his name is on it, it's got $256 million in the bank.
So this is not an issue of bankruptcy. This is hostage taking by the president of the United States.
Don't be surprised if Trump tries to have it torn down completely. And sadly, this is nowhere near the top of the list of atrocities he's going to be remembered for once we're finally rid of him.
