Today in Politics, Bulletin 389. 5/29/26
… A federal judge in DC ordered that Trump’s name be removed from the Kennedy Center: “DECLARED that Congress named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for President John F. Kennedy by federal statute, 20 U.S.C. 76h-76s, and the Center may not be officially named for anyone else except by an Act of Congress.”
… “It is further DECLARED that the Board of Trustees’ December 18, 2025 resolution purporting to rename the Kennedy Center the ‘Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts,’ the ‘Trump Kennedy Center,’ or any variation thereof, is null, void, and without legal effect.”
… “It is further DECLARED that Defendants violated the Kennedy Center’s organic statute in purporting to rename the Center for President Trump, and in taking steps to effectuate that official renaming, such as installing signage with Donald J. Trump’s name on the front portico of the Center, altering the Center’s website to name the Center for President Trump, and in issuing official materials naming the Center for President Trump.”
… Maria Shriver: “An appropriate birthday present on my uncle's birthday today. The judge held that only Congress can change the Center's name and blocked the planned two-year closure. I know they'll probably appeal and the story isn't over, but for today let’s celebrate a great birthday gift.”
… Trump then absolutely melted down on Truth Social:
“Shockingly, a Judge appointed by Barack Hussein Obama, Christopher Cooper, ruled that The Kennedy Center, which was going to close in early July for largescale renovations and construction due to years of neglect, decay, and poor maintenance, and which was to be transformed by the Trump Administration into the Finest Facility of its kind, anywhere in the World, is not allowed to close for these renovations, which would not be possible to properly do without such a closure. Additionally, Judge Cooper ruled that the 36 Member Board of Trustees, which unanimously voted to add the name “TRUMP” onto the former Kennedy Center, making it The Trump Kennedy Center, did not have the right to do such an addition, and the name, “TRUMP,” must be removed.
The Kennedy Center has lost, over the years, prior to our getting involved a short while ago, Hundreds of Millions of Dollars — In some cases, including ridiculous construction jobs that were done, over 100 Million Dollars a year. I took great pride in taking over a losing Institution, and looked forward to making it into a Great and Prestigious WINNER for Washington, D.C., and indeed, the United States of America. Unfortunately, Judge Cooper and the Radical Left would rather see it DIE than have President Trump transform it into something that everyone could be proud of, much as I have done, in many cases, throughout my life, and recently, with all of the construction, renovations, and “fix ups” that we have completed with the Department of Interior on Waterfalls, Fountains, Monuments, and other things of Beauty that we have brought back to life in a now SAFE AND SECURE, after Record Setting Crime, Washington, D.C., which is thriving like, perhaps, never before!
Therefore, based on the fact that the Radical Left Democrats care more about opposing your favorite President, ME, than saving a dying Performing Arts Center, almost all of which lose large amounts of money throughout the Country, we are going to be working with Congress to transfer this failing Institution back to them so they can make a determination as to what to do with it. Judge Cooper was given a presentation by leading Building and Construction Experts as to how structurally dangerous the Building is, with rotting beams, parking areas that are subject to collapse, and various other Life and Safety problems, in addition to the fact that it also needs a MAJOR renovation, from an aesthetic standpoint, but he was not “swayed,” and said he wants the Building to, incredibly, remain open and, therefore, dangerous. Judge Cooper should be ashamed of himself! I cannot be involved with a situation where danger to the Public is allowed to flourish in plain and open sight. Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into “NEVER NEVER LAND.” There has never been a President of the United States who has been treated so unfairly by the Courts as I but, that’s OK, I will continue to do, what is considered to be, a great job for the wonderful people of our Country. I have instructed the Department of Commerce to make all necessary arrangements with Congress to allow a full and complete transfer of this Institution, giving them the responsibility for its Operation, Maintenance, and Management.”
… I think he’s mad. But wait, there’s more.
… A federal judge in VA has temporarily blocked Trump’s plans to create a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded slush fund to pay out J6 criminals, Trump henchmen, and right-wing grifters while a motion for an injunction against the fund is considered.
… Judge Leonie Brinkema wrote that to “ensure that no funds are irreversibly disbursed from the Anti-Weaponization Fund while plaintiffs’ Motion is pending,” DOJ is prevented from “taking any further action pursuant to the creation or operation of the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which includes the transferring of money to the Fund; the consideration of any claims submitted to the Fund; and the disbursing of any funds from the Fund.”
… Judge Brinkema set a hearing for June 12 to hear further arguments on the case.
… And then a 3rd court ruling. Meidas’s Scott Macfarlane: “The 35 retired federal judges have won an early round in their request for investigation into Trump's slush fund and dismissal of his lawsuit vs. IRS. A court in Florida orders Trump to respond to filing by the former judges, which alleges possible ‘collusion’ in case.”
… It is definitely a night for WH staff to hide the ketchup, because the rest of the news today isn’t getting any better for Trump.
… More artists announced they are canceling their performances for Trump’s 250 event in DC next month. The event is now down to just 3 remaining performers of those announced just two days ago:
… Bret Michaels: “When this opportunity was originally presented to my team, it was described as a celebration of our country through music and a chance to honor our veterans, active military, first responders, teachers and hardworking Americans from all walks of life. Unfortunately, it has evolved into something much more divisive than what I agreed to be a part of. I have made the difficult decision to step away from this performance.”
… The only artists left who are still committed to perform are C+C Music Factory, Flo Rida and Vanilla Ice.
… Bitter crybaby Kennedy Center director Ric Grenell responded to Martina McBride’s statement backing out of the event with this post: “You’ve always been a woke lefty.”
… Right-wing podcaster Matt Walsh: “What a mess. They invited a bunch of washed up has-beens, and now even the washed up has-beens are bailing on them. Yet another reason why the right wing ‘get literally any famous person we can’ approach is retarded.”
… Conservative radio host Erick Erickson: “By Saturday, we’re going to be left with Jason Aldean and the J6 Choir as the star performers at this event.”
… WaPo: “The Pentagon is moving to recruit hundreds of troops to appear as spectators at President Trump’s UFC cage-fighting event on the WH lawn, and requiring those who attend to pay their own way and meet height and weight requirements.”
… HuffPost: “Trump purchased stock in the company that will receive a fortune in publicity thanks to his decision to promote an UFC event on the WH South Lawn next month. Trump purchased between $15,001 and $50,000 of stock of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, on March 25.”
… Hillary Clinton posted: “This is what Trump's done to the people's house: A third of it is rubble. Another third is a cage match. What a metaphor.”
… Pam Bondi testified behind closed doors today before some members of the House Oversight Committee about the Epstein Files release. Bondi: “There were redaction errors. But since day one of this process, this Dept has been committed to accountability and transparency.”
… Politico: “Bondi specifically is being asked to speak about the DOJ’s compliance, or lack thereof, with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Oversight Chair James Comer downgraded the terms of her appearance to a transcribed interview rather than a formal deposition - meaning she would not have to answer questions under oath and the proceedings would not be videotaped.”
… Ranking Democrat Robert Garcia heading in: “We obviously have a lot of questions as it relates to why only 50% of the files have been released, why many of the survivors were literally put in danger by the way the files were released. And of course, why this continues to be some type of cover-up.”
… Epstein Survivor Danielle Bensky on Pam Bondi testifying: “I think we’re really hopeful that she’s not going to talk about the Dow today. We hope that there’s no deflection. We hope today is actually a day where she’s had some reckoning and there is some transparency.”
… More than half a dozen Democrats are on hand to question Bondi, while Comer was the only Republican to show up. Nancy Mace previously said she would attend but said this morning she was too busy campaigning for governor in SC today.
… But Trump crushed Mace’s hopes today by endorsing her opponent Pam Evette, getting his revenge after Mace signed the discharge petition to release the Epstein files. Oh well, that’s the MAGA life.
… Bondi tried to shift the blame to Todd Blanche in her opening statement: “As the head of a large Dept with broad responsibilities, I did not lead every aspect of this effort or conduct that document review myself. I delegated oversight over this process to Dep. AG Todd Blanche.”
… Garcia afterwards: “I asked former AG Bondi 5 times about her conversations with Trump, whether he directed her on the Epstein files, what he knew, and she refused to answer any questions about Trump.”
… Garcia: “We asked Bondi questions about Ghislaine Maxwell and the transfer, and she referred those questions to Todd Blanche and the Bureau of Prisons. So we have many questions for Blanche that Republicans are refusing to ask. Why was she transferred to a less secure facility?”
… Aaron Parnas: “Sources tell me from inside the room that Pam Bondi subtly threw Kash Patel under the bus suggesting she sought out more Epstein files from the FBI and the courts but couldn't get them.”
… Rep. Yassamin Ansari on MS NOW: "Do I believe Blanche will be forthcoming? No, I do not. I think every admin official has lied over and over again. Bondi had senior DOJ officials like Harmeet Dhillon whispering in her ear telling her what to say or not to say. That's weaponization of DOJ."
… Sen. Tommy Tuberville told Fox that James Talarico is not enough of a real man to be a Texas senator, and complained that younger American men in general have gotten soft: “Just look at the clothes that men wear now. All this European stuff. We are becoming a European country here in America.”
… Tuberville: “This Talarico guy, I don't know where he comes from. He comes from a different planet. He's not the type of person that I'd like to hang out with.”
… I’m sure the feeling is mutual.
… MS NOW did a series of interviews with Republican voters in TX who said they will be voting for Democrats like Talarico in the midterms:
Trump voter: “Trump doesn't care about us. Somebody asked him about a week ago, what about the American people? He did not care. I couldn't even watch that. I was angry after that. Like I voted for you and you don't care about me.”
Q - “You're willing at this point to let the Senate fall into the hands of Democrats, if that's what it takes to end data centers? Another Trump voter: My entire community is going to break rank. Everybody, all of us. We've had enough.”
… Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) to CNBC on Republicans refusing to regulate AI companies: “The problem we face right now in the US is that the govt is doing nothing on AI. The govt is doing nothing to stop AI from taking your jobs, from exploiting your kid, from giving advice to a terrorist, from being a cybersecurity threat. It’s because these AI companies have funded massive super PACs.”
… CNN: “Markwayne Mullin has been ‘obsessed,’ as one official put it, with the idea of pulling customs processing from airports in sanctuary jurisdictions. But the travel industry has pushed back hard - and the WH has NOT signed off on it. Mullin has pitched the idea to punish sanctuary jurisdictions, but it could have much more wide-ranging impacts.”
… “Airline routes are set far in advance, and changing them to land in non-sanctuary jurisdictions wouldn’t be easy given that many busy airports lack extra capacity.”
… No Kings has called their next nationwide protest for June 14, which is Donald Trump’s 80th birthday and also the date that he will host the UFC fights on the WH lawn.
Reminder that I am off Saturdays so next Bulletin will be out on Sunday night recapping the weekend. We were going to go on a hike at a remote area on the Maine coast tomorrow but the weather is not cooperating. We are at that time of year here where we get wild swings in weather until we settle into our amazing summers mid-June.
If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, you can find it here.
… Reuters: “Trump met in the WH Situation Room on Friday to make a final decision on a deal with Iran. He also listed what a potential deal would need to include: Iran agreeing not to develop a nuclear weapon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, the removal of any sea mines, the lifting of the US blockade on Iran and the removal and destruction by the US of Iran’s highly enriched uranium.”
… CNN WH correspondent Alayna Treene: “Sources told me that the most difficult issues related to Iran’s nuclear program still have to be worked out as part of those talks (and in more detail). Trump - who has been under pressure from members of his own party and Netanyahu not to agree to a deal that would ease pressure on Iran - has been seeking advice to ensure the deal is strong enough. He has been fixated on ensuring the deal can be marketed as stronger than the 2015 Obama-era nuclear deal that he withdrew from.
… NYT: The proposed US-Iran peace deal includes a $300 billion reconstruction fund for Iran. The program is being called an international “investment fund,” which the US would facilitate in the final deal. This comes as Iran demands “reparations” to end the war.
… Iran’s Fars state media: “Trump is misrepresenting the Iran deal terms. He claimed Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz for free and dismantle its nuclear materials - neither is in the actual text. The US must immediately unblock $12 billion in Iranian assets before talks can proceed, and a full ceasefire in Lebanon is also required.”
… “The deal is still awaiting final approval in Iran. Informed sources describe Trump’s statements as a mix of truth and fabrication - an attempt to claim a premature
