Trump lifts tariffs off Irish whiskey, sparking speculation on political motivations

Former President Donald Trump announced on September 13, 2026, his decision to lift the 10% tariff on Irish whiskey. Speaking from his golf course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Trump stated that "everyone" had encouraged him to remove the duty, including Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and golfer Shane Lowry. This move follows a previous reduction of the tariff from 15% to 10% in July and the earlier removal of tariffs on Scotch and Northern Irish whiskey in April of this year.

Meanwhile, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is reportedly facing imminent bankruptcy and potential closure this week. Confidential documents obtained by The Washington Post indicate a severe financial decline, with collapsed ticket sales and fundraising, since President Trump's name was added to the institution.

Trump, who became chairman in early 2025, and his appointed board of trustees claim that his fundraising efforts, contingent on his name being publicly recognized on the building, are the only way to avert a "certain fiscal collapse." This comes despite a federal judge's ruling in May that only Congress can rename the national memorial, prompting an order for Trump's name to be removed. The board is now proposing alternative inscriptions to acknowledge Trump's role in renovations and fundraising, while the center faces a projected $23 million deficit and concerns about its ability to meet payroll.