What was supposed to be a celebratory evening at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington turned into a political tension episode when Vice President JD Vance was met with a strong wave of boos upon arriving at the auditorium. The incident occurred on Thursday night during a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra.
The event revealed the growing polarization surrounding the recent takeover of the center by the Donald Trump administration. Vance, accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, entered the room and headed to their box, at which point the audience reacted with boos and shouts that lasted for about 30 seconds.
JD Vance booed during concert at the John F. Kennedy Center
According to witnesses and videos shared on social media, the vice president responded with a smile and a greeting, trying to downplay the situation. The massive booing not only reflects Vance’s unpopularity in Washington, a predominantly Democratic city, but also the outrage generated by the restructuring of the Kennedy Center.
Last month, Trump removed all board members appointed by Joe Biden and appointed political allies, including Richard Grenell, who was named chairman of the center. The move has been seen as an attempt to eliminate what the former president referred to as “woke influences” in the cultural center’s programming.
The controversy escalated with the cancellation of previously scheduled shows, such as the performance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and the resignation of artists and cultural advisors, including actress Issa Rae and singer Rhiannon Giddens. Even the musical “Hamilton” decided not to carry out its planned tour in the downtown area.
Cultural organizations against the Trump administration
Richard Grenell spoke out after the incident, accusing concert attendees of being “intolerant” of diverse political opinions and arguing that the Kennedy Center should be a space for everyone. However, the widespread perception among critics and attendees is that Trump’s intervention has put the bipartisan essence of the center at risk.
The event was also marked by a notable security deployment, which delayed the start of the concert by approximately 20 minutes. Despite the hostile reception, Vance and his wife remained in the auditorium until the end of the show, which included pieces by Shostakovich and Stravinsky.