Donald Trump had another brutal day, as he snapped at reporter Kaitlan Collins for daring to be at the UN Meeting in New York today. He followed that up with a disastrous speech to UN Member countries. Trump doubled down on his deeply unpopular foreign policy. When discussing Iran, he threatened to “annihilate” the country if they don’t strike a deal, while demanding that allies enforce “complete economic isolation” against Tehran. However, Trump can’t ignore the skyrocketing oil prices and global instability that have left our allies questioning his every move.

Trump dismissed the very real concerns surrounding artificial intelligence, calling warnings about its development a “hoax” and proposing to rebrand it as “superintelligence”. His embrace of AI, framing it as a race to win (”whoever wins AI, wins”), ignores the massive challenges we face. Trump’s speech was truly all about him, leaving the world feeling less secure, not more.

In sum, what a complete mess.

—Matt

JD Vance went to North Carolina today to stump for Michael Whatley. The problem for Vance? No one wanted to watch! Not even Fox News. This comes on the heels of the Vice President begging Americans to “give Republicans two more years!” Laughable, honestly. This rally didn’t go much better. From Whatley freezing on stage, to Vance being cut off by Fox News, to an utterly embarrassing “joke”, it’s not looking good for Vance’s 2028 hopes.

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In solidarity,

—Matt

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The Never-ending Scaffolding

On a warm June night in Washington, DC, I headed out to the Kennedy Center in a great hurry. A court had just ruled that President Trump’s name had to be removed from the side of the building. As I arrived, workers had begun constructing the scaffolding, but something even more amazing was happening around me. Hundreds, if not thousands, of my fellow DC neighbors started showing up. This might have been the first time in human history that the building of scaffolding was ever this exciting. As we watched the workers — very slowly, I may add — build ever-increasing layers of metal pipes and wooden boards, I whipped out my phone to capture the scene.

The roar of the crowd when a new pipe was laid down. The clapping when a worker climbed up the ladder. The growing size of the crowd. I posted this video (see below) to Facebook, and could not have imagined the reception it got. Suddenly, thousands of likes and comments were pouring in from all around the country — people who were right there in support of me and the folks on the ground. All told, that video was seen by over six million people from around the world. This was proof that I had to keep showing you, and the millions of pro-democracy Americans, what was happening here on the ground in DC.

What the Kennedy Center Represents

I have received thousands of comments, from people here in DC and around the country, on what the Kennedy Center means to them.

Of course, the building was named for a great man — John F. Kennedy. A man and president taken from us far too soon. The Kennedy Center opened in 1971, built specifically as a memorial to the late president. And for decades, it stood the test of time, providing art, culture, and joy to millions of Americans. Even for a kid like me, growing up across the country, I loved watching the Kennedy Center Honors every year — watching our most revered and celebrated artists be recognized for their achievements.

And if you’ve never actually set foot inside, that’s okay! That does not mean that this fight doesn’t include you. The Kennedy Center was built as a promise that art and culture belong to every American, not just the ones here in DC. That promise was for you too, whether or not you’ve ever been. That’s exactly why it’s worth protecting.

This building means so much more than its status as a memorial, or a place where folks go to see a show. It represents who we are as Americans. It represents the kind of people we want to be. A place for all — no matter your race, or creed, or religion, or economic status. ALL are welcome at the Kennedy Center. Well... at least until Donald Trump stepped in.

The Fight for the Kennedy Center is Vital

I’ve seen some criticism online that this fight is a distraction — that with everything else going on in this country right now, spending time, energy, and attention on a performing arts center is somehow missing the forest for the trees. I understand where that comes from. But I couldn’t disagree more.

The Kennedy Center is not just a building, or just another one of Trump’s obsessions. It’s a test case. When an institution that has stood for the arts and kindness for fifty years gets hollowed out and rebranded in one orange egomaniac’s image, that’s not a side issue. That’s the main event. It’s a preview of what happens to every other public institution in this country if we let it happen quietly.

That’s why showing up matters. That’s why sharing these videos of the scaffolding, the protests, and filming the thousands of ordinary people who love this place matters. Because silence is how they win. It’s how our beloved institutions get destroyed without anyone noticing. And I refuse to let that happen without a fight, and without you watching it happen, in real time, alongside me.

The Protests on Friday Gave me HOPE!

I raced from work this past Friday to attend the planned protest at the Kennedy Center. I expected maybe a few hundred people to show up... but when I arrived, there were THOUSANDS of people. Peaceful, loving, wonderful people who were there to protest. Some of whom had spent their whole lives going to the Kennedy Center, while others had never even been inside. Regardless, I was blown away — not only by the sheer number of people who decided to attend this protest, but by the outpouring of support.

Trump’s sudden closure and planned demolition of the site ignited a fire among members of the community, and for Americans all over the country. And on Friday, we showed the world what the Kennedy Center means. We showed that THIS is what democracy looks like.

I’m Going to Keep Covering the Kennedy Center, no Matter What

I have received numerous complaints and comments from Trump supporters. They say I’m wasting my time. They say Trump will demolish the Kennedy Center and there’s nothing I can do about it. But I don’t believe that for one second. I know that there is strength in numbers. No matter where you are in this country, or in the world, your voice matters. I want to keep showing you what’s happening on the ground here in DC, because this impacts us all.

Here’s how you can help right now: Support my friends at Hands Off the Arts by giving them a follow on Instagram and considering supporting their work at HandsOffTheArts.org. Momentum like what we saw on Friday only turns into change if it has somewhere to go.

If you want to support my on-the-ground reporting and coverage of the Kennedy Center, and everything happening here in DC, please consider subscribing. Together, I know we can make the difference — not only in saving the Kennedy Center, but this country.

I keep thinking back to that scaffolding, that first night. One additional board being laid down, the whole crowd erupting in enthusiasm. It sounds small. But that’s what this fight is made of — not one dramatic moment, but thousands of people who decided a folding ladder and a length of metal pipe were worth showing up for. If that’s not democracy, I don’t know what is. I’ll be back out there. I hope to see you too.

In Solidarity,
Matt

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