Trump’s Visit to the Kennedy Center
During President Trump’s inaugural visit to the Kennedy Center as its board chairman, he expressed a variety of thoughts on Broadway productions, dancers in silk tights, the Potomac River, and Elvis Presley.
However, in a private conversation at the commencement of a board meeting on Monday, he shared something typically absent from larger gatherings: a personal story from his childhood.
Revelation of Musical Talent
According to three attendees of the meeting, Trump recounted that in his youth, aptitude tests requested by his parents indicated he possessed musical talent. He shared that he could identify piano notes, although his father, Fred Trump, was not supportive of his musical abilities and he never pursued this talent further. One attendee mentioned that Trump seemed to joke about his father’s disapproval.
“I have a high aptitude for music,” he remarked, as noted by participants. “Can you believe that?” He went on, “That’s why I love music.”
Details Shared and Reactions
Trump’s comments had not been previously reported and were not part of an audio recording obtained by The New York Times. However, they were a personal story he had revealed to some in private, concerning a time before he was sent to the New York Military Academy at age 13. This revelation took some attendees by surprise.
Lee Greenwood, the country singer known for “God Bless the U.S.A,” confirmed in an interview that Trump emphasized his childhood musical connection during the meeting. He noted their past discussions on this topic and characterized Trump as “very creative and very artistic,” adding that he believed Trump had a strong musical ear.
Trump’s Perspective on Music
When asked about the anecdote, Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, diverged from the topic but praised Trump for his virtuosic talents and declared that his artistic choices reflect a vibrant spectrum compared to others. He stated that Mr. Trump is uniquely suited, due to his roles as president and Kennedy Center chair, to rejuvenate the nation’s rich arts history.
Trump has long harbored an interest in music and theater, even once aspiring to be a Broadway producer. During the board meeting, he quizzed members on the merits of “The Phantom of the Opera” versus “Les Misérables,” reminiscing about attending the premiere of “Cats” and expressing his fondness for artists such as Betty Buckley.
Controversial Opinions and Actions
Recently, Trump took action to replace the Kennedy Center’s previous chairman and all board members appointed during the Biden administration. He had expressed to allies his desire to lead the institution, which he sometimes mistakenly referred to as Lincoln Center, New York City’s main arts venue. During his visit, he criticized the popular musical “Hamilton,” which led to its producers canceling a planned tour at the Kennedy Center to protest his takeover.
Trump’s actions have prompted several artists to withdraw from engagements at the center, contrasting sharply with the venue’s historical bipartisan character.
Trump’s Connection with Music
Mr. Trump dedicates significant time to curating playlists for his rallies and enjoys playing music at his clubs, taking an active role as a DJ. Some artists have repeatedly requested that he refrain from using their music during his events.
In his first term, music was reportedly a tool used to calm him during times of anger. He often plays music loudly on his private jet, known as Trump Force One, as well as on Air Force One. During a town hall event in Pennsylvania last October, after two attendees required medical assistance, he surprisingly paused the event to play music for over half an hour while dancing on stage.
Search for Musical Memory
In a past meeting with aides, Trump spent over an hour searching for a specific song from “Tommy,” a rock opera by The Who, on Spotify, showcasing his passion for music even when struggling to recall details.
