The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ upcoming performance (at least, according to Donald Trump‘s former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon) following Trump’s presidential takeover has shocked many in the theater community.
According to Bannon, the J6 Prison Choir — which is indeed made up of previously imprisoned individuals involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection — will potentially be added to the lineup, as he announced at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC).
The news that “the J6ers,” who were present at the event “from the medium-high security prisons to the U.S. penitentiaries,” would possibly play the once-lauded venue in Washington, D.C., “for a night in honor of their families,” was met with raucous applause from the audience.
“Beautiful!” one attendee could be heard as Bannon paused to allow the news to sink in.
He also shared his own idea for their potential performance, suggesting that they “invite all of the families they tried to destroy, the J6ers, and they get to sit in the boxes where the elites sit” while the “elites” are sent to the “D.C. gulag,” shocking many internet users at home.
Parade has reached out to the Kennedy Center for comment.
Bannon: I talked to Ric Grenell and the J6 choir is going to play The Kennedy Center pic.twitter.com/RBc5AfFYt9
— Acyn (@Acyn) February 20, 2025
“We’re living in the upside down,” one theater-lover mourned, referencing the horrifying alternate universe found in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
“So it begins,” another lamented, bracing for whatever comes next, while another agreed, “Lord, what a downgrade.”
“I hear their rendition of ‘Tomorrow Belongs to Me’ is particularly chilling,” someone else wrote, referencing the track from the musical Cabaret that is performed by young members of Hitler’s regime.
Another disappointed X (formerly Twitter) user called the move “DEI for terrorists,” while someone else suggested calling the FBI “to report the second assassination of John F. Kennedy’s memory.”
One even played on Trump’s recent “honor” for “God Bless the U.S.A.” songwriter Lee Greenwood, writing, “And I’m ashamed to be an American.”
“They can sing Amazing Disgrace,” another quipped.
CBS reported that Trump’s intention was to put an end to the center’s “woke culture” when he announced earlier this month that he’d be taking over the board. Shortly after the news, the Kennedy Center canceled the upcoming tour of the children’s musical Finn, which “follows a young shark who realizes he may relate more to smaller, more gentler fishes,” according to Playbill.
The Kennedy Center claimed that the decision was financial in origin, but, per the publication, the musical could easily be seen as a metaphor for the LGBTQ+ experience, and the creators were “not surprised” by the move following “the events” that preceded the news.
As a result, many previously scheduled performers have also pulled out of their events, including Issa Rae.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” she explained in a statement, promising all ticketholders a refund.
Next: Jimmy Fallon Trolls Elon Musk’s Son’s White House Visit in the Best Way
