The MAGAfied Kennedy Center hosted a free animated film about Jesus, but only a little more than half of the seats were filled, according to a new report.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center in his first term, but has since vowed to remake it in MAGA's image.
Already, reports have abounded about canceled bookings, a dropoff in donations, and stars like legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma dropping out of performances ever since Trump promised to rebuild the Kennedy Center into a MAGA bastion.
Raw Story reported over the weekend on how Kennedy Center officials have purportedly discussed speaking to Qatar about funding a VIP renovation project.
The same Wall Street Journal report that revealed the potential Qatari funding had an anecdote about a recent film flop.
"Richard Grenell, the White House special envoy who was named executive director of the Kennedy Center in February, said the president has taken a direct interest in the center and agreed it needed additional funding for upkeep and repairs after a recent visit," the report states before quoting Grenell.
"The back of the house and the front of the house have been left in an embarrassing state. I am proud to be a small part of a team where the boss eschews partisan politics in favor of putting American culture, heritage, and excellence first,” Grenell reportedly said.
The report states, "Grenell requested a June 1 public screening of 'The King of Kings,' an animated feature film about the story of Jesus, as told by the character of Charles Dickens. Grenell ordered that the free event take place in the center’s biggest venue, a 2,500-seat concert hall, at a projected cost of $29,000 for staffing, gratis popcorn and other expenses."
"The event featured a prayer wall where visitors could post their written prayers for the nation, and was sponsored by the Museum of the Bible and Moxie Pest Control, whose founder made an unsuccessful run at a Republican U.S. Senate seat in Utah last year," The report continues. "When advance sign-ups for tickets indicated a full house, Kennedy Center leaders added a second screening, increasing the total cost of the event."
But things didn't go as planned, according to the WSJ.
"Employees, who said there is typical attrition for free events, said the actual turnout left the hall 55% full for the first screening and 58% full for the second," the report states. "The Kennedy Center spokesperson said the free screenings were sold out."