Donald Trump's Latest Tantrum at the Kennedy Center: A Symbol of MAGA's Failed Cultural War Aspirations
In a shocking move, Trump announced that he is shutting down the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years following its Fourth of July celebrations. The president's claim that this decision is about "construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding" rings hollow, as most believe it's an obvious reaction to growing concerns from artists who have cancelled shows at the center.
A list of high-profile cancellations has emerged, featuring luminaries like Philip Glass, Béla Fleck, and even the entire cast of Hamilton. The situation serves as a prime example of how narcissists like Trump defeat themselves through their own actions. By attempting to impose his will on others, he inadvertently drew more criticism and rejections.
This debacle also highlights what this whole spectacle reveals about the MAGA movement and its failed cultural war aspirations. Trump's fixation on the Kennedy Center is perceived as an attempt to intimidate the cultural power of the 35th president and his wife, Jacqueline, by excluding himself from circles of people with good taste. This reflects a major resentment within the MAGA movement: anger at the larger culture for not dumbing itself down to placate their pedestrian tastes.
The recent backlash against Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl's halftime show showcases this phenomenon. The right-wing propaganda machine whipped the MAGA coalition into an outrage, insisting that they are owed a pop culture that favors their blinkered tastes. However, this reaction is predictable and boring, exemplifying the fact that forcing ordinary Americans to give up decent entertainment for some MAGA knock-off is much harder than most Trumpists thought.
Trump's actions symbolize the end game of the right's cultural resentment: taking by force what will never be offered freely. The president's takeover of the Kennedy Center represents a desire to remake the cultural landscape in his own image, disregarding the perspectives and interests of others. This is a hallmark of a jealous wife-beater, threatening to destroy the object of his obsession rather than allowing her to leave.
As the right tries to censor comedians, ban books, and terrorize drag shows, it's clear that they can't create, so instead they try to take art away from the rest of us. However, there are too many ways to access good creative work, and the backlash will only grow stronger as a result of their efforts. Trump may tear down the Kennedy Center, but it would be a pyrrhic victory at best.
Instead, most artists will simply play elsewhere, sell more tickets, and rally fans who stand in support of their work. The MAGA movement's cultural war aspirations will ultimately lose as the larger culture continues to produce and consume art that is better than what they can offer.
In a shocking move, Trump announced that he is shutting down the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for two years following its Fourth of July celebrations. The president's claim that this decision is about "construction, revitalization, and complete rebuilding" rings hollow, as most believe it's an obvious reaction to growing concerns from artists who have cancelled shows at the center.
A list of high-profile cancellations has emerged, featuring luminaries like Philip Glass, Béla Fleck, and even the entire cast of Hamilton. The situation serves as a prime example of how narcissists like Trump defeat themselves through their own actions. By attempting to impose his will on others, he inadvertently drew more criticism and rejections.
This debacle also highlights what this whole spectacle reveals about the MAGA movement and its failed cultural war aspirations. Trump's fixation on the Kennedy Center is perceived as an attempt to intimidate the cultural power of the 35th president and his wife, Jacqueline, by excluding himself from circles of people with good taste. This reflects a major resentment within the MAGA movement: anger at the larger culture for not dumbing itself down to placate their pedestrian tastes.
The recent backlash against Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl's halftime show showcases this phenomenon. The right-wing propaganda machine whipped the MAGA coalition into an outrage, insisting that they are owed a pop culture that favors their blinkered tastes. However, this reaction is predictable and boring, exemplifying the fact that forcing ordinary Americans to give up decent entertainment for some MAGA knock-off is much harder than most Trumpists thought.
Trump's actions symbolize the end game of the right's cultural resentment: taking by force what will never be offered freely. The president's takeover of the Kennedy Center represents a desire to remake the cultural landscape in his own image, disregarding the perspectives and interests of others. This is a hallmark of a jealous wife-beater, threatening to destroy the object of his obsession rather than allowing her to leave.
As the right tries to censor comedians, ban books, and terrorize drag shows, it's clear that they can't create, so instead they try to take art away from the rest of us. However, there are too many ways to access good creative work, and the backlash will only grow stronger as a result of their efforts. Trump may tear down the Kennedy Center, but it would be a pyrrhic victory at best.
Instead, most artists will simply play elsewhere, sell more tickets, and rally fans who stand in support of their work. The MAGA movement's cultural war aspirations will ultimately lose as the larger culture continues to produce and consume art that is better than what they can offer.
is all about controlling the narrative & silencing ppl with different tastes 
. Newsflash: you can't force good taste down people's throats 
. This move at the Kennedy Center is like him trying to cancel himself out, but it'll only backfire 
. Art is a powerful thing that brings ppl together, not drives 'em apart 
. The fact that artists are standing up for themselves & refusing to participate is a major win for creativity & individuality 
. Trump may try to tear down the Kennedy Center, but he's just gonna make it more iconic 
.
. and those cancellations tho 
.
its all about trying to force their own brand of "good" culture down everyone elses throat, but honestly, it just sounds like a bunch of middle schoolers whining because they cant have what they want 
.
its gonna be a wild ride watching them thrive while he gets left in the dust 
. Maybe it's a good opportunity for them to take their talents elsewhere and show him that his tantrum won't stop them from doing what they do best? 
On the other hand, this whole thing reeks of desperation and a lack of self-awareness... who does Trump think he is trying to appease with this move 
?
Trump's decision to shut down the Kennedy Center for 2 yrs due to "construction" lol it's like he thinks we're all blind 
. The fact that 100+ artists have cancelled shows at the center is just a cherry on top. Did you know that since his presidency, US arts funding has decreased by 15%? 
And let's not forget, during his campaign, Trump said he'd "make America great again" but what does that even mean for our cultural institutions? 
Trump's tantrum will only backfire and more ppl will support the arts than ever 
Trump's latest move at the Kennedy Center is just another example of his ego getting the best of him... 
. I mean, have you seen the latest season of The Crown? That's some top-notch entertainment right there 
.
. And trust me, that's where the real money is at 
. You can't shut that down without dealin' with the whole country's feelings about it 
. So, yeah, Trump might think he's winnin', but he's really just losin' the battle for our cultural soul 
.
and those hamilton people are just going to find new gigs elsewhere, mark my words 
.
. The fact that people are getting all worked up over it is just giving him more ammo. It's like he's playing some kinda twisted game where the winner takes all 
.
. I think the real losers here are the artists who have to deal with all this drama, and the fans who get caught in the middle 
17 artists so far including Philip Glass, Béla Fleck, and Lin-Manuel Miranda 
what does this say about the MAGA movement's goals? 
i mean bada bunny headlining the superbowl wasnt even that bad lol bad news for trump tho - more people are gonna find out about his "art" thru all this drama 
. It's just gonna make him look even more out of touch with the people who actually care about that stuff 
.