A former writer for the iconic animated series South Park executed a meticulously timed political prank by securing key website domains months before the controversial renaming of a Washington arts venue.
The Domain Name Pre-emption
Toby Morton, who wrote for South Park between 2001 and 2003 and voiced the character Scott Tenorman, purchased the domain names 'trumpkennedycenter.org' and 'trumpkennedycenter.com' in August of last year. This move came after he learned of President Trump's intentions to overhaul the programming of the government-owned Kennedy Center. Morton told The Washington Post his thinking was clear: "As soon as Trump began gutting the Kennedy Center board earlier this year, I thought, 'Yep, that name's going on the building.'"
His prediction proved accurate. Last week, the White House formally announced the institution's rebranding as the Trump-Kennedy Center. "The rest followed on schedule," Morton remarked regarding the President's December action to officially rename the building.
Satire as Political Activism
Morton describes his frequent practice of buying domain names and transforming them into comedic websites as a form of political activism. His Instagram bio labels him a "Creator of Anti-Fascists Websites." He argues that the Kennedy Center, established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy after his 1963 assassination, should transcend any single administration.
"The Kennedy Center has always been a cultural institution meant to outlast any one administration or personality," Morton stated. "It's meant to honor culture, not ego. Once it was treated like personal branding, satire became unavoidable."
His portfolio of satirical sites includes domains related to Republican politicians. One mimics a site for Representative Nancy Mace's potential 2026 South Carolina gubernatorial run, featuring lines like, "I'm not here to serve, I'm here to brand." Another targets Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene with the blatant tagline, "Building a Whiter Tomorrow."
Controversy and Legal Challenges
The renaming has ignited a significant culture war flashpoint. Many members of the Kennedy family have expressed outrage. Kerry Kennedy, the former president's niece, pledged to take a "pickax" to Trump's name on the building after he leaves office. Legal experts, including former House historian Ray Smock, note that the 1964 law creating the centre as a memorial to JFK explicitly prohibits the board from dedicating it to anyone else or adding another name to the exterior, suggesting Congress must approve any change.
President Trump claimed he was "surprised" and "honored" by the board's decision, though he had hinted at the change earlier by referring to the venue as the "Trump Kennedy Center." His administration has been deeply involved with the centre since his return to office, replacing its leadership and overhauling the board.
Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations, Roma Daravi, defended the action, stating it aligns with precedents like renaming military bases. She asserted the Kennedy memorial is "not impacted" and that adding Trump's name returns the centre to its bipartisan roots, as it was created by President Eisenhower.
As for the Trump-Kennedy domains, Morton confirms he has plans. "It'll absolutely reflect the absurdity of the moment. Lots of surprises," he said, adding, "Some things are truly hard to parody, though." To date, the Trump administration has not contacted him to acquire the web addresses.
