JD Vance booed at Kennedy Center—viral video fuels heated reactions online
A video of Vice President JD Vance getting loudly booed at the Kennedy Center has set social media on fire, with users split between amusement, outrage, and debate over the political shake-up at the historic institution.
The now-viral clip, posted late Thursday night, shows Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, waving to the audience as they take their seats in the box tier. Within seconds, a wave of boos and jeers erupts across the auditorium, lasting around 30 seconds, according to audience members. Allegedly, Vance acknowledged the yelling and shouts of “You ruined this place!” with a smile.
Backlash over Trump’s Kennedy Center takeover
The incident came amid growing backlash over President Trump’s controversial decision to overhaul the Kennedy Center’s leadership. Last month, Trump removed Biden-appointed board members and had himself elected chairman, calling the institution “too wokey” and vowing to reshape its programming.
Trump’s move has already triggered major disruptions at the center. Several artists, including actress Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens, have pulled out of performances in protest. Even the hit musical “Hamilton” canceled a planned tour stop next year.
Concert delays & security tensions
Vance was attending a National Symphony Orchestra performance, one of the Kennedy Center’s signature ensembles. But the event itself wasn’t without complications—audience members reported that the concert started 20 minutes late due to heightened security measures.
Credit: X/@JDVance
Despite the rocky reception, the Vances remained for the entire performance. Usha Vance, notably, was recently appointed by Trump to the Kennedy Center board, alongside Fox News host Laura Ingraham and Trump’s White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles.
Netizens react
Social media was flooded with reactions as the video went viral, now with about 1.3 million views. One user commented, “Boos for Vance, well deserved at the Kennedy Center.” Another user wrote, “He has a lot of nerve showing his face there after what they did!!!”
However, the Republicans had their VP’s back. One user commented, “The sound of boos at the Kennedy Center from the broken Left is heard as the cheers of patriots who love this country. When your enemy cries, you smile.” A second user said, “If they are booing, you know your doing something right.”
