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Trump’s temper tantrum

Sep 21, 2026 · 26m

Summary

This episode examines the Trump administration's contentious takeover of the Kennedy Center, highlighting a tense board meeting where Trump clashed with Rep. Joyce Beatty after a judge barred adding his name to the building. The discussion covers the center's sudden closure for "safety" and fears of potential demolition, linking these actions to Trump's broader obsession with physical legacy projects. A separate segment features a sit-down with the president regarding the White House ballroom, where he admits to building monuments for himself because he believes no one else will honor him a…

Topics discussed

Protest at the Kennedy Center and introduction to the segment Jonathan Edwards explains the timeline of the closure order Board vote details and the 'safety' justification for closure Tense board meeting dynamics between Trump and Rep. Beatty Personal insults and unprofessional behavior during the meeting Fears of demolition following the White House East Wing incident Legal battles and the link between naming and renovation funding Sponsorship breaks and transition to the next story Ben Terrass introduces Trump's obsession with physical monuments Trump's admission that he is building monuments for his own legacy Tour of the White House ballroom construction and scale Racing the Supreme Court and avoiding congressional oversight Democratic plans for the ballroom and Trump's 'nuclear concrete' claim Assessing the durability of Trump's legacy projects Predictions for Trump's activities in the final two years
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