A new episode of the Insider podcast is now out. Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss:
– A federal judge’s order blocking President Trump’s efforts to add his own name to the Kennedy Center;
– Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund, and a federal court decision that effectively reopens Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS; and
– Reports that the Justice Department is investigating E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault and won two defamation lawsuits against him, for allegedly committing perjury.
A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCER
Jake Kaplan is the Supervising Producer of the Stay Tuned with Preet and Insider podcasts.
On a new episode of the Insider podcast, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance break down legal developments related to the $1.776 DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund and the reported DOJ investigation into E. Jean Carroll. But amid all the major news, President Trump reserved his sharpest criticism for a court ruling that blocked him from putting his name on the Kennedy Center.
The dispute centers on Trump’s campaign to remake the Kennedy Center in his image, from proposed renovations to adding his name to the institution. In an order, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper greenlit the renovations, for the most part, but blocked Trump’s move to rebrand it the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
On the podcast, Preet observes that there’s a different way of going about public recognition and honors: “Again and again and again, you have the spectacle of self-honor. Do a good job, be a great president, and people will be flocking to put your name on things. That’s how it happens. That’s how it works.”
But as the judge noted, and Preet and Joyce further explained, Congress made clear that the institution was established as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Trump cannot override that.
Joyce: “What comes next? Are we going to have the Donald Trump and Vietnam War Memorial? He can’t just go and dump his name in front of someone else on a building that’s been established by law.”
Can we expect Trump to appeal this decision? On Truth Social, he posted: “Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this Institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into ‘NEVER NEVER LAND.’”
Listen to the episode and comment below with your thoughts and questions. Thank you for being a member of our community here on Substack. If you’re not yet a paying subscriber, you can now listen to a free excerpt from the show. For access to the full analysis, upgrade your subscription.
Stay Informed,
Jake
