When red and blue fireworks bathe the capital city skyline in a dazzling canvas of light this 4th of July, patrons of the arts can celebrate another milestone: The Kennedy Center is on its way to operating in the black as the Trump overhaul of the national theater continues.

Before the pyrotechnics begin, the president will sign his One Big Beautiful Bill into law on the White House lawn. On the 155th page of that mammoth bill, tucked between rescissions of low-carbon transportation grants and provisions to end environmental review fees, is an appropriation for $250,000,000 to renovate the marquee center for the arts.

Republicans aren’t the typical advocates of the arts. However, this president is; a White House official previously told RealClearPolitics that the money was

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