Overview

• Vice President J.D. Vance faced loud boos from the audience as he entered the Kennedy Center for a National Symphony Orchestra performance on Thursday night.
• The incident occurred during a concert featuring works by Stravinsky and Shostakovich, with Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos as the featured artist.
• The Kennedy Center has recently come under scrutiny after President Donald Trump dismissed its Democratic-appointed board members and installed himself as chairman, alongside a new board of Trump allies, including Usha Vance.
• The overhaul has led to backlash, including high-profile resignations, event cancellations, and criticism from arts organizations like the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.
• President Trump has pledged to reshape the Kennedy Center's programming, citing a desire to reflect what he calls a 'Golden Age in Arts and Culture.'