A former writer for *South Park* has taken a provocative step by purchasing the web domains associated with the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, leveraging this acquisition for satirical purposes. Toby Morton, who contributed to the animated series from 2001 to 2003, anticipated the name change months before the official announcement by the White House, which took place in late December 2025.
The Trump-Kennedy Center, a government-owned arts venue, is now officially named after President Donald Trump, a decision that has sparked significant controversy. Morton purchased the domains ‘trumpkennedycenter.org’ and ‘trumpkennedycenter.com’ in August 2025, following his perception that the president was planning to overhaul the center’s programming and leadership.
Morton explained his reasoning to *The Washington Post*, stating, “As soon as Trump began gutting the Kennedy Center board earlier this year, I thought, ‘Yep, that name’s going on the building.'” His foresight proved correct when the renaming was confirmed amidst ongoing cultural debates surrounding the center.
The Kennedy Center has long been regarded as a cultural institution intended to endure beyond individual administrations. Morton criticized the renaming as an attempt to transform the center into a vehicle for personal branding. He remarked, “It’s meant to honor culture, not ego. Once it was treated like personal branding, satire became unavoidable.”
In addition to his recent domain purchases, Morton has a history of acquiring web domains for comedic purposes as a form of political activism. He has previously created satirical websites targeting various political figures, including potential campaigns for Nancy Mace in South Carolina and Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia. His website for Mace features biting humor, while the site for Greene overtly mocks her political stance with slogans like “Building a Whiter Tomorrow.”
Morton also focuses his efforts on Democrats he perceives as ineffective against Trump, such as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. His site, ResignChuck.com, highlights the political maneuverings that he believes prioritize corporate interests over constituents’ needs.
Currently, the Trump-Kennedy domains remain unutilized, but Morton has plans to develop them into platforms that reflect the “absurdity of the moment.” He has not yet received inquiries from the Trump administration regarding the domains, nor has there been an attempt to purchase them.
The renaming of the Kennedy Center has drawn backlash from members of the Kennedy family, including Kerry Kennedy, who expressed her disapproval by vowing to take drastic action against Trump’s name on the building once he leaves office. Additionally, former House historian Ray Smock pointed out that any name changes would require Congressional approval, as the law restricts altering the center’s memorial status.
Trump expressed surprise and honor at the board’s decision to rename the center after him, despite having previously shown little interest in the venue during his first term. His administration has been marked by efforts to combat what he terms “woke” culture within federal cultural institutions, leading to numerous artists, such as Issa Rae and Peter Wolf, canceling performances in protest.
The Trump-Kennedy renaming is part of a broader political strategy that involves repositioning cultural landmarks. Roma Daravi, Vice President of Public Relations for the Kennedy Center, stated that the name addition aligns with precedents established by previous administrations, including the renaming of military bases and institutions in honor of past presidents.
As the cultural discourse surrounding the Trump-Kennedy Center continues to unfold, it highlights the complexities of political identity and the intersection of art and governance in contemporary society.
