Kennedy Center Lawyer Accused of Trying to Book His Own Dad Rock Band

Elliot Berke, general counsel at the Kennedy Center, allegedly pushed to get his amateur cover band The DePlorables a gig at the venue's Speakeasy lounge.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:37pm

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An abstract, minimalist composition featuring bold, jagged black silhouettes and geometric shapes in high contrast, conceptually representing the conflict of interest between a Kennedy Center lawyer and his amateur cover band.A Kennedy Center lawyer's attempt to book his own dad rock band exposes the political influence over the institution under the Trump administration.Washington Today

The top lawyer at President Donald Trump's MAGA-aligned Kennedy Center has been accused of trying to get his own amateur cover band, The DePlorables, a gig at the center's Speakeasy jazz-style lounge last fall. However, Kennedy Center staffers reportedly rejected the idea due to concerns over a potential conflict of interest and the fact that The DePlorables were not professional musicians.

Why it matters

The attempted booking highlights the ongoing political influence over the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration, which has installed allies in key leadership roles and sought to reshape the institution's programming. This incident raises questions about potential abuse of power and conflicts of interest within the center's operations.

The details

According to sources, Elliot Berke, who serves as general counsel at the Kennedy Center, pushed to book his own cover band, The DePlorables, for a slot at the center's Speakeasy lounge. The DePlorables is an aging dad rock group that leans into 1970s glam and punk covers. While Berke was careful not to directly participate in negotiations, sources say Kennedy Center staffers ultimately nixed the idea due to concerns over a potential conflict of interest and the band's lack of professional credentials.

  • In the fall of 2021, Berke allegedly pushed to book The DePlorables at the Kennedy Center's Speakeasy lounge.

The players

Elliot Berke

The general counsel at the Kennedy Center who allegedly tried to book his own amateur cover band, The DePlorables, to perform at the venue's Speakeasy lounge.

The DePlorables

An aging dad rock cover band formed by Berke in 2019, described as 'the worst band you've ever heard' that leans into 1970s glam and punk covers.

Kennedy Center

The performing arts center in Washington, D.C. that has undergone sweeping changes under the Trump administration, including the installation of allies in key leadership roles.

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The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing political influence over the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration and raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and abuse of power within the institution's operations. It underscores the need for greater transparency and oversight to ensure the center's programming and decision-making processes remain independent and in the public interest.