J.D. Vance Viciously Booed at Kennedy Center Following Trump’s Takeover
J.D. Vance Viciously Booed By Kennedy Center Crowd
Published on March 14, 2025 at 4:46 AM PDT
Updated on March 14, 2025 at 5:19 AM PDT
J.D. Vance faced a barrage of boos as he made his way to his seat at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington on Thursday night. This came on the heels of former President Donald Trump appointing himself as the chairman of the renowned institution.
A video captured the moment when Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, entered their box at the Kennedy Center. The audience’s disapproval was evident as boos rang out, with some even calling for the lights to be dimmed to obscure his presence.
Despite the hostile reception that lasted about 30 seconds, Vance remained composed and even managed to flash a smile and wave to the crowd after taking a sip of his drink.
The Vice President and his wife joined other patrons to enjoy the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra, featuring soloist Leonidas Kavakos. The National Symphony Orchestra has been a fixture at the Kennedy Center since its inception in 1971.
In a bold move earlier in the year, Trump assumed control of the Kennedy Center, citing concerns over its programming, including drag shows, and expressing a desire to steer the institution away from what he referred to as “woke” content.
Trump’s takeover involved replacing key figures at the Kennedy Center, including the former Chair David M. Rubenstein and longtime president Deborah F. Rutter. He also appointed his own choices to the board, including Usha Vance.
Notably, celebrities have pushed back against Trump’s influence at the Kennedy Center. Actress Issa Rae canceled her sold-out show, “An Evening with Issa Rae,” while producer Jeffrey Seller withdrew “Hamilton” from its scheduled run at the venue in 2026. Shonda Rhimes also resigned from the Kennedy Center Board in protest.
As tensions continue to escalate, the White House and the Kennedy Center have been approached for comments on the unfolding drama, but no response has been received thus far. The controversy surrounding Trump’s involvement in the iconic arts center shows no signs of abating, with conflicting viewpoints clashing on the future direction of the Kennedy Center.
