Democrats dupe Kennedy Center into hosting gay Pride concert
The performing arts institution in Washington, DC, which is led by a senior member of Mr Trump's administration, had apparently been told that the senators intended to put on a talent show.
Instead, it was used to stage a Pride event where performers, among them the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, sang Broadway tunes in protest against Mr Trump.
Ric Grenell, whom Mr Trump installed as president of the performing arts center after replacing its board with loyalists, said they had engaged in good faith with the request but instead had been used for a 'political stunt'.
Earlier this year, the US president assumed control of the Kennedy Center, denouncing its programme as too 'wokey' and pledging to bring in a 'Golden Age of arts of culture'.
Numerous artists have since boycotted the venue, which recently cancelled its 'Tapestry of Pride' to celebrate Pride month.
John Hickenlooper, one of the Democrat senators to host Monday's event, said: 'What's happening in the world is deeply concerning, but even in our darkest hours, we must continue to seek out the light.
'The LGBTQ community has long embodied this resilience, maintaining joy and creativity in the face of adversity.'
Mr Hickenlooper, along with senators Tammy Baldwin, Jacky Rosen, Brian Schatz and Elizabeth Warren, rented out the Justice Forum lecture hall for the 90-minute 'Love is Love' concert, which explored 'gay characters, gay culture, gay music and gay Pride'.
It was produced by Jeffrey Seller, the lead producer of 'Hamilton', who recently cancelled a run of the musical at the Kennedy Centre scheduled for 2026.
'This is our way of reoccupying the Kennedy Centre,' he said. 'This is a form of saying, 'We are here, we exist, and you can't ignore us'. This is a protest, and a political act.'
Mr Grenell said staff working for Mr Hickenlooper had approached the centre about putting on a talent show and that it had been 'pleased to welcome them'.
'We were only later notified by the New York Times that Senator Hickenlooper's event was instead an invite-only political stunt,' he said in a statement on social media.
'Once again, the Kennedy Centre was being used by political operatives to larp as victims of intolerance in order to get a story in the Times.'
He continued: 'No one has been cancelled by the Kennedy Centre; we welcome everyone who wants to celebrate the arts, including our compatriots on the other side of the political aisle.
'We especially welcome artists and audience members who come to the Kennedy Centre not for partisan political pranks but to experience excellence in the performing arts.'
Earlier this month, many of the seats in the audience were filled by drag queens when Mr Trump visited for a performance of Les Misérables.
One told local media they attended the musical to 'protest in our own way' by 'existing in the space that they've tried to block us from'.
Ms Warren, a former contender for the Democrats' presidential nomination, said the concert was an attempt to fight the Trump administration's 'hateful attacks' with 'resilience and joy'.
'We're celebrating that joy at the Kennedy Centre with artists and stage workers for a special performance,' she said. 'I'll never stop fighting to make sure every single person is free to live exactly who they are.'
Ms Baldwin, the first openly gay US senator, said the country had 'some big hills to climb' to reach 'true equality'.
'Look no further than the Trump administration's shameful attacks on the LGBTQ community and our right to live a life with dignity, respect, and free from discrimination,' she claimed.
'While this administration won't say it, we will: to all LGBTQ members of our community, we see you, we respect you, and we are proud to celebrate you.'
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