Jonathan Edwards

Excited to announce I'm the new arts and government reporter at @washingtonpost covering the Smithsonian, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, etc — and how the Trump administration is reshaping those institutions to rewrite the American story. Tips welcome: Signal jle.11

Exclusive: White House officials secretly awarded a no-bid contract worth up to $500M for the construction of the East Wing ballroom in an arrangement sidestepping typical contracting procedures designed to control costs. From @Blaskey_S and @jocwapo washingtonpost.com/investigations…

“Freedom Trucks” highlight America’s founding principles and triumphs — but omit much of the nation’s darker past, fueling debate over how history should be taught. From @laurameckler washingtonpost.com/education/2026…

President Trump’s name is off the Kennedy Center, but on Sunday night, he was all anyone at the performing arts venue could talk about. And Trump* tried to steal Bill Maher's comedy prize, claiming he is funnier than the longtime comedian! *See story :) washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

I’m at the Kennedy Center covering the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Celebrities are about to walk the red carpet. To do so, they’ll have to go past the tarp tower covering the evidence that President Donald Trump’s name has been removed from the center’s exterior.

The Great American State Fair "felt like a trade show for Christian groups, tourist boards and the military industrial complex." @PhilipKennicott's take on "a crushingly dull simulacrum of a simulacrum of America" washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to explain why tarp-covered scaffolding still blocks the spot where Trump's name appeared on the building, 11 days after crews removed it. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

“This is the picture the Trump administration does not want anyone to see, so it’s all the more important … that people have an opportunity to witness when they’re winning,” said Mallory Miller, co-founder of Hands Off the Arts. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

EXCLUSIVE: New photos offer the first public look at the Kennedy Center's facade since crews took down President Trump's name. The images were shot from inside the tarp-covered scaffolding that's hidden the building for nine days. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

In a court filing late Friday, the Kennedy Center said it will stay open past July 5 — the date it had planned to close for two years — but punted any real decisions on closure, programming and staffing to its board, which is set to meet in mid-July. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

"No government to help us." "Taxpayer free." "A gift to America." For a year, Trump promised private donors would cover every dollar of his White House ballroom. But internal estimates show taxpayers are projected to pay over half the $600 million cost. washingtonpost.com/investigations…

Washington Post obtained documents that show the cost of the ballroom is higher than previously stated and despite claims from President Trump, taxpayers will foot about half that amount. Washington Post investigative reporter Jonathan O'Connell shares what he's learned.

The Kennedy Center’s tarp tower has become a punchline.

Exclusive: A detailed project summary of the ballroom prepared for the White House by a contractor estimated the total construction cost at $600 million — with more than half coming from taxpayers, according to a copy obtained by The Post. wapo.st/4vRSidG

Scoop: As Trump promised "ZERO taxpayer funding" for his White House ballroom, his own officials projected taxpayers would cover more than half its $600 million cost, internal documents obtained by The Washington Post show. From @Blaskey_S and @jocwapo washingtonpost.com/investigations…

Trump's name came off the Kennedy Center in the dead of night. More than 60 hours later, a tarp tower still hides the spot — and the people showing up to see it keep leaving disappointed. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…

But many make their own consolation: by taking selfies with the tarp column in the background

President Donald Trump's name came off the Kennedy Center in the dead of night Saturday. More than 60 hours later, almost no one has seen it gone. The giant tarp column remains up, and the locals and die-hards trickling in to see the restored signage are leaving disappointed.

The Kennedy Center’s name sign is still blocked by tarps and surrounded by security guards more than 12 hours after President Donald Trump’s name was removed from the building. Just a handful of journalists and passersby waiting for the tarps to come down.

President Donald Trump’s name is off the Kennedy Center. washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/…