Kennedy Center symphony audience boos JD Vance and wife

Several audience members have told us that US vice-president JD Vance and his wife Usha were booed as they took seats last night at a National Symphony Orchestra concert at the Kennedy Center.

One person cried out ‘you ruined this place!’, referring to President Trump’s takeover of the Center.

The orchestra went on to perform a Shostakovich violin concerto, with Leonidas Kavakos as soloist, and Stravinsky’s Petrushka. Both are by Russian composers who were at odds with the Moscow regime. The conductor was Gianandrea Noseda. Review here.

The audience response, at a classical concert in the nation’s capital, appears to be without precedent.

Trump has made it clear he ‘never goes’ to Ken Cen.

JD Vance was booed at the Kennedy Center this evening pic.twitter.com/ORcWxEw9dG

— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) March 14, 2025