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Today's newsletter is 1,071 words, a 4-minute read.

The Kennedy Center says it's crumbling and teetering toward bankruptcy. But a President Trump ally sees something else entirely: a chance to turn it into a glammed-up, luxurious cultural destination.

Why it matters: Trump-appointed board members will push during a meeting today to start a controversial two-year renovation while again trying to put Trump's name on the building.

Axios previously reported the renovation would address urgent issues, including corrosion, and would rehab its iconic theaters and Grand Foyer.

• "First, we have to make it safe," says board member Paolo Zampolli, a former New York real estate exec who introduced Trump to Melania.

Driving the news: New documents show several options the board will consider to recognize Trump, including: "Renovation and endowment overseen by President Donald J. Trump and the Trump Kennedy Center Fund."

• Without his name on the building, "it is unlikely" that Trump will support its renovation, including his offer to "step in and raise the necessary funds to keep the Center from bankruptcy," a draft board resolution says.

But that's not all: Zampolli has more on his mind.

• Why not, for instance, build a marina to draw yacht owners?
• Or expand its outdoor park and connect the Kennedy Center to … Roosevelt Island, which Zampolli would like to see become a "concert hub."
• Plus, to "turn it into a destination," the Kennedy Center needs "excellent food and beverage," he says.

Zampolli has floated these ideas before, and he's sticking to them, including adding a Cipriani, the luxury hotel and club proprietor from his native Italy.

• "I'm very close to the owner," Zampolli says.

Reality check: Those ideas aren't part of the renovation plan now before the board, and who knows if they'll go anywhere.

• But we've seen a Trump-appointed board member push a big D.C.-area makeover before: Trent Morse has been on a mission to get rid of the people movers at Dulles Airport, and he's made quite a bit of progress.

"The most important thing is, we want to get the [renovation] done," Zampolli says, and his flourishes can make the place into a "diamond."

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The National Zoo breaks ground today on a new Arabian leopard habitat — kicking off a $51.6 million, 15-year effort to help save one of the world's rarest big cats from extinction.

Why it matters: Fewer than 120 Arabian leopards remain in the wild, and the Saudi-funded project — backed by the largest donation in the zoo's history — marks a major milestone in efforts to bring the critically endangered cats back from the brink.

The intrigue: The National Zoo will become the only place outside the Arabian Peninsula where visitors can see the elusive cats — and yes, they'll get their own live leopard cam, à la the pandas.

• Plans call for an overhead animal crossing, plus an oasis-like courtyard and habitat inspired by the Arabian Peninsula's rocky cliffs and wadis.

Follow the money: Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for AlUla donated $51.6 million to fund the habitat, transport the animals and support conservation research and other efforts over 15 years.

• Unlike D.C.'s famous panda arrangement with China, there's no multimillion-dollar loan fee. But any cubs born at the zoo will eventually return to Saudi Arabia to support breeding and reintroduction efforts.
• Move over, panda diplomacy — the leopard liaisons offer their own soft power appeal between the Saudis and U.S. and are a pet project of ambassador Princess Reema, a George Washington University alum.

What's ahead: The exhibit is slated to open in 2029, with breeding leopards expected to arrive in D.C. in 2028.

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Cuneyt here, with rolling updates from Trayon White's bribery trial this week...

Ward 8 Council member Trayon White will be in court this morning to face allegations he took tens of thousands of dollars in bribes.

• Jury selection ended yesterday, 11 days after prosecutors accused him of tampering with the jury pool when he called on more Black residents to answer the call of jury duty.
• The jury that was picked is majority white, with 9 women and 5 men, NBC4 reports.

What we're watching: Witnesses who may be called include former D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine, who once employed White before he became council member.

• The trial is expected to last at least several days.

⚖️ D.C. and 22 states are suing the Trump administration over a federal rule they say would give immigration officials broad discretion to deny green cards to people who use public benefits.

• They argue the rule could lead to strained ERs and hurt businesses as immigrant families forgo benefits they're eligible for. The admin says the policy aims to restore "the basic principle that immigrants must be able to support themselves." (New York Times)

👮 U.S. Park Police wants to be "the premier law enforcement agency in D.C." — doubling its ranks to roughly 600 officers. Arrests have also doubled since the start of 2026. As it pursues a $110 million expansion, critics say it's acting like a parallel city police agency without local oversight. (CityCast)

💰 Two landlords — JBG Smith and Mid-America Apartments — will pay $9.3 million to settle a D.C. investigation that they inflated rents. JBG Smith is paying the majority, resolving allegations targeting luxury apartments like the West Half building outside Nats Park. (Washington Sun)

D.C. diners tip at some of the lowest rates in America, according to new Toast data.

By the numbers: D.C., California and Washington state sit at the bottom of the rankings, with average tips below 18%.

• At the other end: Delaware, West Virginia and New Hampshire, with diners leaving around 21% on average.

Context: Both Washington and California have eliminated the tipped minimum wage, and D.C. paused the I-82 effort to kill it — factors that lead to higher wages, more service fees, and in some cases, lighter tips.

The fine print: The report is based on data from restaurants using the Toast platform.

• Cash tips aren't included.

🌶️ Anna is excited to try new mole pastes she got in Texas.

🎙️ Cuneyt is back talking into a mic, discussing the Trayon White trial on the latest episode of his "Dream City Podcast."

📚 Mimi is OOO.

This newsletter was edited by Alexa Mencia Orozco