Curtains for the Kennedy Center?

Good afternoon. This is the Afternoon Sun newsletter for Sept. 17, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

New photos of Donald Trump published last night renewed fears that he plans to demolish the Kennedy Center as part of his bid to attach his name to the institution.

• One photo, shot by AFP’s Brendan Smialowski, shows Trump looking at a poster board with the words “Kennedy Center” and a partially covered word that appears to be “Demolish.”

U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the center to provide a detailed update on its “temporary closure” by next Wednesday, asked for 30 days’ notice before any “demolition” of the main building, and allowed Rep. Joyce Beatty’s team to seek discovery to investigate the poster board Trump was viewing.

THE HILL

The Protect College Sports Act reached 77 votes of support today ahead of a likely final Senate vote next week.

• One new amendment requires schools seeking a change in conference to have been independent for only three years, not five.

Rep. María Elvira Salazar released an ad — shot outside the White House — directly criticizing some of Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts and calling on him to remember the Hispanic voters who helped propel him into office in 2024.

• The Florida Republican, who represents a Latino-majority district that encompasses Miami, has been a staunch supporter of TPS extensions and immigration reform.

Senate Democrats blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act as insufficient, stalling the House-approved measure — the only AI-adjacent bill that had a chance of passing this fall.

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL

Republicans are pouring out millions to support Senate candidate Ken Paxton, who has faced major struggles in his race against James Talarico. But Democrats are divided on whether to direct valuable resources to the state representative in what’s been a solidly red state.

THE ADMINISTRATION

Trump withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination for the head of ICE after he faced skepticism from lawmakers and agency insiders.

RFK Jr. headlined an anti-vaccine group’s conference this afternoon, at one point pivoting to fringe topics like chemtrails or electric and magnetic fields.

• The Health and Human Services secretary is reshaping another key public health task force after appointing eight new members.

Trump floated establishing a U.S. Army base in Poland in collaboration with President Karol Nawrocki today on Truth Social.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Thank you for reading! Today’s newsletter was produced by Kelly Poe and Erik Schutz. If you liked it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please sign up — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at newsletters@washsun.com.