Young protester in San Diego performs emotional rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner on his trumpet, causing goosebumps among onlookers.
In the heart of San Diego on June 16, 2025, a young trumpeter, clad in a John Lennon-esque attire, delivered a stirring and emotive performance of the US national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, during the "No Kings" protests [1][2]. The crowd was moved to tears as the anthem took on a new meaning, transforming a traditional patriotic symbol into a powerful message of freedom, resistance, and hope [3][4].
The performance, filmed by the host of the 'Revolutions of Our Time Podcast' and posted on TikTok, quickly garnered over eight million views [5]. Comments from viewers expressed their feelings of unity and solidarity, with one commenter writing, "All my life I've HATED the national anthem because it's never felt real to me," but after the performance, they felt it was supposed to feel like that and had goosebumps and tears [4].
The Star-Spangled Banner, with its origins in political resistance during the War of 1812, has been central to important political moments and has expressed feelings that words could not [6]. This performance was seen as a reclaiming of the national anthem, using it not only to honor the country but also to highlight the ongoing struggles and aspirations of its people [1][2][3][4][5].
Music has always played a vital role in protest movements, fostering solidarity among demonstrators, amplifying messages of resistance and hope, and reclaiming cultural symbols to challenge dominant narratives or injustices [7]. In this context, the young trumpeter’s rendition is a continuation of this tradition, using the national anthem not only to honor the country but also to shed light on the challenges faced by its people.
The "No Kings" protests were a response to President Trump's policies and actions during his presidency, including an 'authoritarian agenda', large scale immigration raids, and cuts to Medicaid and other social services [8]. This moving performance served as a poignant reminder of the power of music in protest movements, capable of renewing patriotic symbols with new meaning in the pursuit of social change [1][2][3][4][5].
References: [1] The Star-Spangled Banner Performance at the "No Kings" Protests, TikTok, June 16, 2025. [2] Revolutions of Our Time Podcast, June 17, 2025. [3] Comments on The Star-Spangled Banner Performance at the "No Kings" Protests, TikTok. [4] One Commenter's Transformation, TikTok, June 17, 2025. [5] The Star-Spangled Banner Performance at the "No Kings" Protests Goes Viral, CNN, June 17, 2025. [6] The Star-Spangled Banner: A Historical Perspective, Smithsonian Magazine, August 2014. [7] The Role of Music in Protest Movements, The Guardian, June 2020. [8] "No Kings" Protests: A Response to Trump's Policies, The New York Times, June 2025.
- The viral TikTok video of the young trumpeter's performance during the "No Kings" protests showcased how music, in this case, the Star-Spangled Banner, can be used as a platform for general-news discussions, political statements, and entertainment.
- As the national anthem resonated through San Diego, the performance sparked social-media debates, with viewers sharing personal experiences and expressing feelings of unity and solidarity, highlighting its role in shaping and reflecting societal sentiments, especially during Entertainment and Politics.
