Trump takes over the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
In terms of the Washington establishment, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is at the peak of the mountain for the powerful snobby cultural class. It is to the bourgeoisie what NASCAR and professional wrestling is to the hoi polloi. (I say that as a person who loves opera and has been to the Kennedy Center many times when I lived in Washington).
Back in 2016, the nose-in-the-air stuffed shirts overseeing the Kennedy Center took personal umbrage that the folks in fly-over America elected Trump to be America’s 45 President. They demonstrated their contempt for the people’s choice by doing what their social class does. They snubbed him. Several recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors threatened to boycott if Trump or First Lady Melania attended the Kennedy Honors event. They essentially let it be known that Trump was persona non grata at the Center. Conversely, Trump has also been critical of the Center’s focus on woke left-wing performances and entertainers.
Well … it is payback time. Trump has announced his intention to replace the governing board of the Kennedy Center – which they conceded he has the authority to do. He has named himself as chairman of the board. Trump has revealed his intention to provide entertainment more in keeping with the traditions and values of the American people – the common folks.
This is not an issue that has great ramifications beyond the wounded egos and punctured pomposity of those currently on the board. It will not bring down the Republic. It will not start a war. It will not cut down the size of the federal government.
But for the Social Register society set, it is a crushing blow. For them, the Philistines are not at the gate but occupying front row seats. And I am sure Trump is enjoying every minute of the pain their egos are suffering.
So, there ‘tis.
At first, I first just sluffed it off as trivial as the author notes. I too, grew up at the Kennedy Center at a much earlier age than the author and mostly attending solo pianists, the world’s best. Getting in on student dollar, I would move to better seats on intermission, once sitting in the President’s box to the chagrin of the tuxedo’d first row patrons. Course, over the years, I’ve done NJPAC, Carnegie Hall, even the Smithsonian used to have Sunday night concerts in the art museum simulcast on radio. Although I admit I cannot hear classical, it does not register. Good news is it’s all new every time I go. But that’s why the piano, the solo made it special for me. Yup, me and my gingham fake-pearl buttoned shirt, blue corduroy west and fry boots certainly set the tone at the Kennedy that the DC cowboy was in the house. It’s a marvelous venue, especially from the best boxes.
I did not realize I was bourgeoisie given I drove an American muscle machine and like NASCSAR. Matter of fact, remember the old “what would have happened if the South won the war” joke? Monday Night NASCAR. Although I like Grand Pre the best, even drove a section of Watkins Glen, so I guess I have illusions of grander.
Though after reading I noticed a certain author anger as he says:
“Well … it is payback time” and
“sure Trump is enjoying every minute of the pain their egos are suffering.”
Since the author offered no pushback, I have to assume he likes payback, pain, and the suffering. He seems to say these things more and more lately. A sign of age perhaps? I know he’s of the win-lose mentality, but does he need more than a mere victory? I guess he is the sort of guy that puts the dog down and then curb stomps him for effect. This put me off because I just think delighting in payback is wrong. Enjoying other’s pain is an useless endeavor of no profit except self-gratification.
Trump, a master of the arts? Has anyone ever seen Trump at a Broadway play? At the Met? A Classical Concert? As far as I know, only when acts come to the Trump events, does he even listen. Nope, this is revenge and retribution for the slightest of snubs as Trumpy marches through his enemies list like Sheldon on The Big Bang and about that mature and human too.
Probably screens all movies at home, never even in a movie house. Heck, he left the Superbowl over an hour early.
The author had a choice. Might have questioned why the leader of the free world needs to dabble in petty grievances to the point of having the autocracy’s Felon King take over the arts. But instead, he seems to revel in payback, pain, and suffering. I guess that’s what will unify us in the future. I can only ask: how low can the author and his Felon King go?