Trump Sparks Controversy with Kennedy Center Closure, Faces Lawsuit Threat Over Grammys Joke
Washington D.C. – President Donald Trump ignited controversy on multiple fronts this week, announcing the closure of the Kennedy Center for two years and threatening to sue comedian Trevor Noah over a joke made at the 68th annual Grammy Awards. The closure of the Kennedy Center, a national cultural center opened in 1971 as a "living memorial" to President John F. Kennedy, has drawn criticism, while the lawsuit threat stems from a joke referencing Trump and Jeffrey Epstein made during Noah's hosting duties at the Grammys, according to BBC World.
Trump stated the Kennedy Center was "dilapidated" as the reason for the closure, according to Sky News. Critics, however, suggest the move is an attempt to deflect attention from cancellations that followed his decision to rename the memorial to JFK. The announcement, made Monday, February 2, 2026, has angered many, including members of the Kennedy family, Sky News reported.
Meanwhile, Trump threatened legal action against Trevor Noah after the comedian's joke at the Grammy Awards. "Song of the Year - that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein's island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton," Noah said while hosting the event, according to BBC World. Trump, who was an associate of Epstein for years but claims to have had no knowledge of his crimes and that they fell out in about 2004, has not been accused of any crime related to Epstein.
The Grammy Awards themselves were a night of historic wins and political statements. Bad Bunny won the Grammy Award for best album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the first Spanish-language album to win the top honor, according to the NY Times. Kendrick Lamar's win for record of the year for Luther, his duet with SZA, made him the most honored rapper ever. Addison Rae and Katseye were highlighted for their performances as part of a best new artist showcase, the NY Times reported.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment