A Comedian's Sharp Prediction: Trump's Name on the Kennedy Center
A comedian with a knack for satire and a history of writing for popular TV shows like South Park and Mad TV made a clever move last August.
Toby Morton bought two domain names:
trumpkennedycenter.orgtrumpkennedycenter.com
This was before President Donald Trump even hinted at the idea of adding his name to the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Morton's Prediction Comes True
Morton's foresight turned out to be spot on. Earlier this month, the center's board, appointed by Trump, announced that his name would indeed be added to the building. Workers quickly installed new lettering to reflect the change. Morton's domains now point to a situation that seems straight out of a satire piece.
Insight and History
In an interview, Morton explained that he bought the domains after noticing Trump's actions towards the Kennedy Center board. He saw the writing on the wall and acted accordingly. Morton has a history of buying domain names linked to politicians, using them to create parody accounts that highlight absurdities in the political sphere.
Plans for the Domains
When asked about his plans for the Trump-Kennedy domains, Morton hinted at more satire. He acknowledged that some things are so absurd they are hard to parody. The renaming of the Kennedy Center has sparked significant controversy.
Legal and Public Backlash
- Legal Experts and Trump Critics: Argue that it violates a 1964 law that designates the center as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
- American College Theatre Festival: Ended a long-standing partnership with the center.
- Renowned Jazz Musician: Canceled a Christmas Eve concert that had been a tradition for over two decades.
- Congresswoman Joyce Beatty: Filed a lawsuit challenging the board's decision to change the name.
Morton's Perspective
Morton, who owns about 50 domain names, sees the renaming as a misuse of a cultural institution. He believes the Kennedy Center should honor culture, not individual egos. Once the center became a tool for personal branding, satire became inevitable.
