Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick gave a passionate argument for President Donald Trump’s push to shut down the Kennedy Center for renovation, arguing that in its current state, a chunk of concrete could dislodge from the structure and fall on people at any moment.
Read more ‘What are they hiding?’ Trump’s secretive plan roils JFK’s niece amid Kennedy Center fight
The Trump administration and the Trump-appointed members of the famed performing arts center’s board have been fighting for a long-term shutdown and renovation for months, which some observers argue is just a vanity project and an attempt to paper over how badly ticket sales have crashed in response to the building’s MAGA takeover.
A federal court initially blocked the first renovation plan, as well as the move to put Trump’s name on the side of the building. The president has now threatened to demolish the building outright.
“This is for America, this is to create the greatest institution in America,” said Lutnick. “The building is dangerous. People say, oh, don’t overstate that it’s dangerous.”
Read more Trump DOJ compares mail-vote scheme to transporting cremated remains
“Look, there are chunks of concrete falling off the ceiling in the garage,” the commerce secretary continued. “When it fell off last time at four o’clock in the morning, okay, you clean it up in the morning. But if it fell on somebody, that would be an unmitigated disaster. And if it falls on cars when you’re in there, that would close the institution and create a horrible event. So this building needs to be renovated and restored.”
Lutnick’s argument earned a round of skepticism and mockery from social media commenters.
“They’re gonna tear down the official memorial to an assassinated president because they can’t put Donald Trump’s [expletive] name on it,” wrote political activist and podcaster Joanne “JoJo From Jerz” Carducci. “These are the worst excuses for people that I’ve ever walked the [expletive] earth.”
Read more Hitler mustache and Nazi salute photos emerge as red state’s ‘deputy of the year’ quits
