BACKGROUND: Trump's first year back in the White House has produced both dramatic institutional takeovers and sustained pressure that cumulatively narrows room for independent cultural work. In May 2025, the Kennedy Center restructured its bylaws to freeze out Congress-designated trustees. That same evening, the NEA terminated 560+ approved grants totaling $27 million. Yet resistance is mounting: 150+ organizations pledged support for artistic freedom, and the Fall of Freedom movement staged 600+ coordinated events in November 2025. The battle over culture defines 2026