The Kennedy Center continues to be a political institution showing preference for the right-wing party.

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the center “held a moment of silence to honor” the political commentator. The center added, “May he rest in peace.”

The center did not offer a moment of silence for Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their golden retriever Gilbert when they were shot and killed at their home by a man impersonating a police officer. It also did not offer a moment of silence for the school shootings that have occurred in the past month.

Kirk was a conservative activist who was a big supporter of President Trump, who spread false information and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 on social media. He was a pro-gun owner who, after the Parkland shooting in February 2018, spoke for the National Rifle Association in Parkland, Florida. He had said that guns, armed guards, and gun detectors could be used to prevent shootings in schools and campuses. In 2023, he said, “I think it’s worth having a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.” Kirk also made several controversial statements regarding race and opposed gay marriage. He once said, “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.”

Since the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center, ticket sales have fallen, with the Guardian reporting that the Stuttgart Ballet’s series at the Kennedy Opera House in October will only be sold “between 4 and 19 percent” based on reservations so far. Earlier this year, the New York Times reported that, according to data compiled by anonymous employees, “single-ticket sales were down roughly 50 percent in April and May, compared with the same period in 2024.” The report also noted that revenue was down 82 percent for theater and 57 percent for dance.

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