By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Kennedy Center is facing a significant decline in ticket sales since Donald Trump’s takeover, with a substantial increase in unsold seats across major venues. Analysis reveals that nearly half of the available tickets remain unsold during typical production periods, a stark contrast to previous years. This downturn has been attributed to the shift in leadership and the polarizing political climate, with artists withdrawing and shows, such as Hamilton, no longer choosing to perform at the venue. Staff members suggest the drop in sales is even more drastic than reported, potentially impacting fundraising and the future of the cultural institution.
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Trump Takeover Dooms Kennedy Center Shows as Audiences Stay Away
It appears we’re seeing a rather predictable outcome at the Kennedy Center. The idea of performances being packed with eager audiences, particularly those aligned with the former president, seems to have been a miscalculation. The expectation that his supporters would flock to these events just hasn’t materialized. It’s almost as if conservatives, in general, struggle to find enjoyment or meaning in things that don’t directly cater to their specific worldview. It’s not a surprise that the performances are suffering.
The situation reminds me of a certain disdain some conservatives seem to have for anything remotely connected to what they perceive as “liberal” art and culture. It’s as though they’re afraid of finding something meaningful or enjoyable in those spaces. This self-imposed restriction, this denial of potential pleasure, is interesting, to say the least. And when someone like the former president is involved, it feels even more pronounced. He seems to have a certain gilded trash sensibility. Everything he touches seems to take a turn for the worse.
When you look at the former president’s supposed interest in culture, it’s hard to take it seriously. His taste, his understanding of the arts – it all feels superficial. Les Miserables for example, that’s not really the core audience. And, let’s be honest, putting him “in charge” of anything related to the arts is a bit of a joke. He’s often perceived as someone who is lacking in class and culture, and no amount of money can change that. It’s almost as if the people running this place didn’t fully grasp who makes up the arts crowd.
The Kennedy Center seems to be in for a rough time, and it’s not hard to see why. The thought of a “Nation’s Pride” private screening not being popular, is not shocking. And, as we all know, a Kid Rock residency at the Kennedy Center is probably not going to fill those seats, either. If you have any interest in open-air concerts, it might be time to start planning. And there is a real possibility that the former president will bankrupt the place.
You have to wonder what the underlying strategy is. Is it about dismantling institutions, destroying things that don’t align with a certain ideology? It’s almost a signature move: the portraits strategically placed, the clear intention to mock the performers. Everything he touches seems to turn to, well, you know. It’s like a curse, everything he touches turns into something undesirable.
And of course, we’re seeing the inevitable: decreased attendance, the venue’s reputation taking a hit. It’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, isn’t it? This approach of “This is what you’ll get, and you’ll like it,” just doesn’t work. The arts crowd seems to be voting with their feet and their wallets, and they aren’t showing up. This entire situation is a microcosm of a larger trend, where, in many areas, the oligarchs’ actions have consequences.
The impact of this situation extends beyond just the Kennedy Center. It’s a symptom of a much broader issue where manufacturing is crumbling, and the entertainment industry is struggling. The arts are just another casualty of this approach. It’s a lose-lose situation, either way, whether people like or dislike the former president.