Trump honors his roster of celebrity endorsers who favor him.
=====================================================================================
In a unique blend of politics and the arts, Donald Trump's presidency left an indelible mark on American museums, universities, and the cultural landscape. While his fondness for music, particularly "Macho Man" and show tunes, was well-documented, his policies and actions towards arts and humanities organizations were more contentious.
During his tenure, Trump significantly influenced the arts by aggressively reducing federal funding for organizations and pushing for a politically motivated revision of museum content. He sought to censor what he deemed "divisive" or "woke" narratives, especially focusing on the portrayal of slavery and other difficult aspects of American history in institutions like the Smithsonian.
Key actions and impacts included:
- Cutting millions from federal arts and humanities grants: The Trump administration canceled millions in National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities funding, affecting thousands of organizations. This included attempts to eliminate these federal agencies altogether.
- Launching a broad review of museum exhibitions: Trump ordered a 120-day review of Smithsonian exhibits, demanding they downplay negative aspects of history like slavery in favor of narratives emphasizing unity, progress, and enduring American values.
- Criticism and pressure on museums to remove "woke" content: Trump publicly attacked the Smithsonian and other museums via social media and official statements, labeling them as controlled by "woke" ideology and threatening to use federal funding as leverage to enforce changes.
- Interference in personnel decisions: He attempted to remove leaders supportive of diversity initiatives, such as the director of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, demonstrating political pressure on museum leadership.
- Extending criticism to universities: Like museums, universities were pressured to reject what Trump saw as "woke" ideological influences, often tied to funding threats.
This approach sparked significant controversy and legal challenges, such as a federal judge ruling some grant cancellations unlawful.
In a different sphere, Trump's love for music was evident in his personal life and public appearances. He announced George Strait, Michael Crawford, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, and Kiss as this year's Kennedy Center honorees. His 2020 campaign presidential rally playlist included diverse artists such as Elton John, the Village People, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Trump's affinity for music extended to his personal life as well. He once had someone play him the song "Memory" from Cats whenever he was upset. Ivana Trump listened to "I Will Survive" during her divorce trial from Donald Trump. The president praised the song as one that gets better every time you hear it.
However, not all artists were pleased with Trump's endorsement or use of their music. Some, including the Rolling Stones, objected to his use of their music. Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" is considered a great American gay anthem.
Trump also had a vision for the Kennedy Center, aiming to reflect "the brightest STARS" from across the nation. He discussed bringing Andrew Lloyd Weber musicals back to Washington D.C. in a meeting with Kennedy Center trustees. Trump appointed a board for the Kennedy Center, making himself the chairman.
Despite the controversies, Trump returned to the Kennedy Center today, continuing to shape the cultural narrative of his presidency. Betty Buckley, who performed "Memory" in Cats, built her performance by following homeless women to understand their dignity and grace, reflecting a different perspective on the arts and humanity.
