Video from a statement by Donald Trump
President Trump's exchange with reporters about the Kennedy Center on arrival in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 16, 2026.
Excerpt from 4:38 to 6:14 of the White House video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: The White House. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Reporter's question about 4:40-4:48; Trump's answer 4:49-5:46; quoted passage about 5:26-5:46 (audio transcribed by us))
Asked by a reporter on arrival in Charlotte, North Carolina, why it was so important to him to have his name on the Kennedy Center, Trump said the center has lost money for years and that, for the administration to get involved and carry it long term, “the Trump administration should certainly have recognition.” He continued: “Because, frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close. It’ll end up being ripped down.”
“So for the Trump administration, for me, to get involved and to take that on long term and to carry it, or to raise money to carry it, I think that the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because, frankly, if we don't do that, it's going to close. It'll end up being ripped down.”