JD Vance has awkward reaction after being booed at concert

Vice President Vance Met with Loud Boos at Kennedy Center

On March 13, people attending a performance at the Kennedy Center made their disapproval clear as they loudly jeered at Vice President JD Vance. Despite the unfriendly response, Vance hesitantly waved at those in the crowd who opposed him.

Even before the orchestra had the opportunity to play a single note, Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, encountered a chilly reception from the audience. The sound of their discontent echoed throughout the Kennedy Center, a venue that had recently come under the control of Donald Trump.

Back in February, Trump removed the chairman of the Kennedy Center board along with 13 trustees. In their place, he appointed himself as the new leader while selecting Richard Grenell—a loyal supporter and foreign policy advisor—as interim director. This abrupt decision stirred controversy in artistic communities, sparking worries about political influence in one of the nation’s most significant cultural establishments.

“We’ve now taken over the Kennedy Center,” Trump declared following the leadership change. Since then, he has canceled 20 scheduled performances at the venue. “We didn’t approve of what they were putting on and other things. We’re going to make sure it’s high quality and not woke. No more woke in this country.”

To clarify what he meant by “no more woke,” Trump elaborated on Truth Social on February 20: “NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA – ONLY THE BEST.”

Concert Postponed

That evening, guests at the Kennedy Center had been eagerly anticipating the National Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 2, followed by Stravinsky’s “Petrushka.” However, increased security measures caused a 25-minute delay.

Due to Vice President Vance’s arrival, the Secret Service conducted thorough screenings of every guest—an unusual occurrence for a venue known for its smooth operations.

Before the performance began, 40-year-old Vance and his wife were escorted to an unoccupied balcony on the second floor. There, the couple sat accompanied by a small security team.

But it’s hard for Vance to go unnoticed.

‘You’ve Destroyed This Place’

Andrew Roth, a sharp-eyed foreign affairs journalist for The Guardian, was the first to point out the vice president’s presence in the balcony box.

“JD Vance,” Roth is heard saying in a clip that quickly gained traction on X, amassing 1.3 million views in under a day.

Instead of quiet acknowledgment or polite applause, the audience erupted in displeasure, creating a striking contrast to the usual calm atmosphere of a symphony performance.

The crowd greeted Vance with loud booing and audible jeers, making it clear he was unwelcome.

As Vance settled into his seat, a man in the crowd shouted, “Boo!” followed by a woman’s exasperated response: “Oh f***.”

According to The Guardian, one individual reportedly called out to Vance, “You’ve destroyed this place,” though this remark wasn’t clearly heard in video recordings of the incident—despite the venue’s outstanding acoustics.

As more audience members took note of Vance’s presence, the wave of disapproval intensified, growing louder as it spread across the concert hall.

However, Vance appeared unfazed by the hostility. Before turning to converse with his wife, he calmly took a sip of his wine and gave a brief wave to his critics.

‘Well Done, America’

Meanwhile, reactions to the viral video flooded social media.

One commenter disapproved of the audience’s behavior, writing, “This is awful! Vice President Vance deserves respect—he’s earned it.” Another expressed a similar sentiment, stating, “These people are immature… bring back mental institutions.”

A more neutral observer remarked, “Booed by boomers. I don’t remember ever seeing a vice president receive such widespread contempt, especially this early into their term.”

However, most online reactions favored the negative reception, arguing that Vance should expect similar treatment wherever he goes.

“[JD Vance] receiving exactly what he deserves. Well done, America!” one person posted.

Another added, “It’s honestly disturbing that the Vice President of the United States is delighted about being booed. There was a time when politicians actually cared about public opinion… Now? It’s just a game to them.”

A different user speculated, “Trump will probably label the Kennedy Center audience as domestic terrorists next.”

Richard Grenell later addressed the backlash, condemning the crowd’s response as intolerant.

“It’s disappointing to see so many people in the audience—who appear to be white—showing hostility toward differing political beliefs. Our strength comes from diversity. We need to do better. We must welcome EVERYONE. The Kennedy Center will not become a place of intolerance,” the newly appointed president of the center tweeted on March 14.

For Vance, this moment highlighted the difficulties of serving in one of the most scrutinized roles in American politics. And for the Kennedy Center, it marked another instance in the ongoing debate about where politics and the arts intersect.

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