'Ruined this place': JD Vance booed at Washington concert
What's the story
United States Vice President JD Vance was greeted with loud boos and jeers from the audience while attending a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra at Washington's Kennedy Center on Thursday evening. The incident happened when Vance and his wife Usha took their seats in the box tier. They shouted "You ruined this place!" as Vance smiles and waves at the crowd.
Delay details
Concert delayed as Vance's motorcade caused security checks
The concert was reportedly delayed by 25 minutes as security checks for the audience were conducted when Vance's motorcade reached the national performing arts center. After news of the crowd's behavior emerged, Richard Grenell, Kennedy Center's interim director appointed by President Donald Trump in February, said the crowd was "intolerant."
Center's transformation
Trump's takeover of Kennedy Center sparks backlash
In February, Trump removed Kennedy Center board chairman and 13 trustees, appointing himself the new chair and Grenell the interim leader. He also appointed new board members including Usha Vance. The concert program featuring Shostakovich's second violin concerto with Leonidas Kavakos followed by Stravinsky's Petrushka had a shaky start due to the crowd's reaction, but settled into its stride soon enough.
Twitter Post
Video from the concert
Imagine getting booed at a place with magnificent acoustics.
— Noelia Belén Izarza 🇻🇪🇺🇸 (@myteks) March 14, 2025
📌 JD Vance at the Kennedy Center. pic.twitter.com/7BAfJsBnUq
Artistic backlash
Resistance to Trump's control over Kennedy Center begins
Trump's takeover of the traditionally bipartisan Kennedy Center has been met with resistance. Producers of hit musical Hamilton have pulled out of a run at the institution scheduled in 2026, and multiple artists have canceled their appearances. Traditional musicians Nora Brown and Stephanie Coleman displayed banners onstage reading "reinstate queer programming" and "creativity at the Kennedy Center must not be suppressed."
Personal views
Vance's comments on classical music
In a 2016 interview with The New York Times, Vance said he was astonished that people listened to classical music for pleasure. "Elites use different words, eat different foods, listen to different music - I was astonished when I learned that people listened to classical music for pleasure - and generally occupy different worlds from America's poor," he had said.