Attendance of vice-president – who once disbelieved that people listened to classical music for pleasure – strikes sour note at Kennedy Center in light of Maga takeover

Summary

JD Vance was loudly booed at a National Symphony Orchestra concert in Washington, delaying the start by 25 minutes due to security checks.

The backlash follows Trump’s hostile takeover of the Kennedy Center, where he appointed Vance’s wife, Usha, to the board and removed trustees.

Resistance to the changes has grown, with artists canceling performances and protests over cuts to LGBTQ+ programming.

Vance, a vocal cultural conservative, has criticized “woke” influences in the arts, while Trump vowed to eliminate “anti-American propaganda” from the institution.

  • nkat2112@sh.itjust.works
    91·
    10 hours ago

    The booing incivility in a place known for etiquette is wonderful to see and hear.

    Couch Guyliner must have felt a little hot under the collar in what was supposed to be a safe space.

    And nice that artists have been canceling performances in the face of fascism.

    Oligarchs should probably take note. But regardless of that: let’s keep it up, good people. We are many.

    • ayyy@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      2 hours ago

      The whole “known for etiquette” thing is a pretty modern development. There was a time when classical concerts could devolve into all-out brawls because the audience thought the music had too many controversial chords in it.