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The Kennedy Center board, now dominated by appointees of Donald Trump, has voted to close the venue for renovations. This follows an ongoing legal battle over Trump’s attempt to add his name to the establishment’s facade, which was halted by a preliminary injunction from a federal court. Trump has pledged $17 million towards the renovations on the condition that his name is added back to the facade, and has threatened to withhold the funding if the ruling is not overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Welcome to From the Politics Desk, your daily newsletter by NBC News Politics for the latest political updates. Today we discuss the Kennedy Center drama and GOP defectors on the House’s Iran war vote.
Analysis of the Legal Battle at the Kennedy Center by Andrea Mitchell
Donald Trump‘s branding agenda is embroiled in a legal spat at the Kennedy Center, a memorial for the assassinated president. Learn more here. During a significant meeting with the Kennedy Center board, Trump clashed with Rep. Joyce Beatty, resulting in the center’s closure for renovations.
Trump’s attempt to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Center resulted in an online uproar and a preliminary injunction from a federal court. Critics argue that any name change requires an act of Congress, not a presidential order.
The new board, handpicked by Trump, has reportedly reduced the center’s programming, leading to a loss in ticket sales. In contrast, the White House claims the center had been poorly run. Both parties agree on the need for renovations, but differ on the closure approach.
Amid the legal feud, Trump offered $17 million for the renovations on condition his name is appended to the facade. Trump’s post on Truth Social highlights his insistence on the name addition. Meanwhile, the center’s closure has disrupted regular performances and relocated events to alternative venues.
New GOP cracks over Iran War on the Eve of Midterms by Adam Wollner
Last night, the GOP-led House approved a war powers resolution for the third time, prohibiting President Donald Trump from further military action in Iran without congressional approval. Three new Republicans voted for it: Rep. Nancy Mace, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and Zach Nunn.
Both Miller-Meeks and Nunn, who are up for re-election, stated their opposition to an “open-ended war.” Miller-Meeks on X and Nunn’s statement call for clear objectives and constitutional oversight.
The war powers resolution is largely symbolic, but its support by seven House Republicans underscores their political pressure ahead of the midterms. A national Marquette University Law School poll indicates a low approval rating for Trump’s handling of the Iran war and a lead for Democrats on the generic congressional ballot among registered voters.
This vote appears to be the last on the Iran war before the midterms. The House is set to leave Washington tonight until Nov. 9, postponing the impeachment vote for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth until after Election Day. The postponement follows Hegseth’s campaign with Massie’s primary opponent, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.
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