A quiet act of digital acquisition has blossomed into a pointed political statement. Months ago, a former writer for the animated series *South Park* anticipated a shift in Washington D.C. and secured the domain names “trumpkennedycenter.org” and “trumpkennedycenter.com.”
The foresight proved remarkably accurate. Last week, the White House announced the renaming of the Kennedy Center, a landmark previously dedicated as a “living memorial” to John F. Kennedy, to the Trump-Kennedy Center. This prompted the writer, Toby Morton, to unleash his carefully crafted response.
What visitors now find at TrumpKennedyCenter.org is not a celebration of art and culture, but a subtly unsettling parody. The website’s logo echoes the heavily redacted documents recently released concerning Jeffrey Epstein, immediately establishing a tone of veiled accusation and dark humor.
The site’s text is equally provocative. It speaks of “devotion, unity, and inherited authority,” promising ceremonies and appearances revealed “in due time.” A chilling phrase – “Participation is not required, but belonging is expected” – hints at a disturbing undercurrent of enforced loyalty.
Morton’s creation doesn’t stop at satire. It actively solicits “donations” via PayPal and Venmo, ostensibly “to help build and maintain the website.” This audacious move adds another layer to the troll, blurring the lines between parody and a pointed commentary on power and influence.
Morton, who wrote for *South Park* from 2001 to 2003, has a history of turning domain names into platforms for political activism. He routinely documents his projects and the reactions they provoke on his Instagram, where he identifies as a “Creator of Anti-Fascists Websites.”
The response has been predictably polarized. One message warned Morton to cease fundraising, fearing a lawsuit from the former president. Morton’s reply, shared publicly, was characteristically blunt: “Your concern has been received, acknowledged and filed accordingly under ‘go f* youself.’”
However, the website has also garnered significant support. A message from Kerry Kennedy, niece of John F. Kennedy, expressed “thrill” at Morton’s actions, calling his approach “unique and impactful” and offering sincere gratitude.
This isn’t Morton’s only satirical target. He currently operates websites lampooning potential campaigns for Nancy Mace and Marjorie Taylor Greene, with slogans like “I’m not here to serve, I’m here to brand” and “Building a Whiter Tomorrow.” He even extends his satire to Democrats, with a site targeting Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
Funded by his own resources and donations, Morton occasionally amplifies his message with billboard space, turning his digital pranks into tangible displays of political dissent. The Trump-Kennedy Center itself has yet to respond to requests for comment.
