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Kennedy Center Demolition Threat, Trump's Troubles, Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

September 18, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Kennedy Center’s ornate doors are closed and surrounded by gates, but the week's drama has been anything but quiet. President Trump threatened to have the building “ripped down” if his name is not affixed to it, a federal judge imposed a 30-day notice requirement before any demolition can occur, and a staff member submitted a sworn statement saying she witnessed a forklift ram into the building’s pillars. Meanwhile, Trump lost a Supreme Court fight over mail-in voting, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates against his wishes, and Poland’s prime minister warned that Russia is planning “accidental” strikes on countries supporting Ukraine to test NATO’s resolve.

The Kennedy Center: demolition threats, court filings, and a closed building

The Kennedy Center, the white marble performing arts venue on the Potomac River that opened in 1971, has been a prestigious showcase for American and international talent. Trump has been threatening to tear it down after being blocked from putting his name on the building. A federal judge told Trump and the Trump-aligned board that they cannot demolish the center or build anything new without providing 30 days’ notice. Notably, the judge did not say that congressional approval was required for any of that.

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What you'll learn

  • 1 (00:02) **Kennedy Center Update** - Trump threatens to demolish the building if his name isn't on it; a federal judge blocks demolition without 30 days' notice.
  • 2 (05:51) **Trump's Troubles: Supreme Court, Fed, and Other Setbacks** - The Supreme Court blocked Trump's mail-in voting plan, the Fed raised interest rates, and other institutions push back.
  • 3 (08:40) **Political Implications of Trump's Setbacks** - The midterms approach, and limits on Trump's power are being tested by courts and his own party.
  • 4 (09:19) **Poland Warns of Russian 'Accidental' Strikes** - Prime Minister Donald Tusk says Russia is planning attacks on countries supporting Ukraine, designed to look like accidents, to test NATO's resolve.
  • 5 (10:44) **Russia-Friendly Parties and NATO Unity** - Tusk warns that Russia-friendly European parties seek excuses not to defend Poland and the Baltic states, while suspected Russian incursions become everyday.
  • 6 (11:43) **Recent Incidents and Hybrid Attacks** - European governments report Russian hybrid attacks including sabotage, disinformation, and cyber attacks; a Russian drone with a warhead was retrieved off Poland's coast.
  • 7 (12:33) **Tusk's Appeal for Unity** - Tusk ends his speech calling for unity in Poland and Parliament for a resolute response, underscoring Poland's commitment to Article 5.

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Show Notes

A federal judge told President Trump he cannot demolish the Kennedy Center without 30 days’ notice, after the board shut the building and Trump threatened to rip it down if his name is not on it.
The president has taken a series of hits this week, from the Supreme Court blocking his mail-in voting plan to the Fed increasing interest rates against his wishes, raising questions about how much institutions are willing to push back as the midterms approach.
Poland’s prime minister says Russia is planning hybrid drone and missile attacks on European countries that support Ukraine, strikes Moscow would try to pass off as accidents to keep NATO from responding.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Steve Drummond, Rebekah Metzler, Tina Kraja, Mohamad ElBardicy and Alice Woelfle.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.

Our director is Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Zac Coleman.

Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

And our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:51) Kennedy Center Demolition Threat
(05:44) Trump's Troubles
(09:15) Poland Warns Of Russian Attacks

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