In what appears to be an act of retaliation by Kennedy Center head Richard Grenell, the Donald Trump appointee made available passes to an antagonist pro-Trump group to come to a performance of a Black artist he has been arguing with on social media.
Despite the efforts of Grenell to stop artists from cancelling at the cultural institution that has been reeling since the Trump takeover, the Washingtonian is reporting that he offered tickets to the Log Cabin Republicans, with the report stating, “A member of Grenell’s staff even distributed passes and welcomed the men as they arrived, a current staffer confirmed for Washingtonian."
According to a report from USA Today, guitarist and composer Yasmin Williams shared screenshots on Instagram as evidence of a fight she had with Grenell last week where she wrote, “I hope posting this email thread illuminates the terrible folks who are now leading the Kennedy Center. I’ve had so many amazing career and life highlights at the Kennedy Center and I hate to think that the establishment could be run down permanently by this man."
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On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that her performance was immediately interrupted with cat-calling.
“The brief boos, which can be heard in a live-streamed video posted by the center, were the only disruption of the performance, Williams said, and the hecklers left after about 15 minutes into the show. Williams said she saw a few MAGA hats in the audience. Moments before taking the stage, she added, a Kennedy Center staffer told her she would need to be escorted out of the venue through a ‘secret exit’ by security,” the report notes.
“The heckling, she said, came from Trump supporters and members of the local chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, a nonprofit organization that represents LGBTQ conservatives and allies. In an email from the group Williams posted to Instagram, the organization encouraged its members to attend her show ahead of their monthly meeting that day on the center’s rooftop terrace,” the Post is reporting adding that Andrew Minik, president of the Log Cabin Republicans of D.C. promised drinks would be provided.
“She is apparently vocal opponent of President Trump and The Kennedy Center’s decision to hold a vigil for Charlie Kirk. Let’s make sure the audience is filled with patriots!” he wrote and then added drink tickets would be available and for members to “arrive early for the performance to take advantage!”
Despite video evidence of booing, according to the Washington Post, Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi complained, “This is an absolutely ridiculous claim. There was no coordinated effort by the Kennedy Center. Grenell had no involvement. We did not even know they were coming,” adding, “They did not heckle and frankly it is defamation of character for her to say that — she however bashed Grenell and the Center from the Kennedy Center stage. Republicans are patrons too and they are welcome at the Kennedy Center just like anyone else.”
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