Comedian W. Kamau Bell speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about his decision to perform at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump assumed the organization's chairmanship.
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I think if we everyone backs out, they have won. We should stand our ground, continue with our presence or they will dominate the air waves. They can’t forget we are here. Now, make it a worthy event to be there for. 😉
Love your work, Kamau. But unless you burn the house down with a scathing piece about the administration, I dunno. I'd have chipped in to a GoFundMe to replace your paycheck.
He didn't. He and his fellow black comedian took one mild jab each (from what I've read), but otherwise made little recognition of the Nazi regime that now controls the Center.
It’s a payoff to Trump’s minions with no thought to who will care about it and support its artistic greatness. Politicizing art by people who don’t appreciate art or diversity of thought.
And Elaine Chao! She "resigned" as Sec of Transportion over January 6, and now she's accepted a seat on the board from the insurrectionist. God, these people are completely devoid of integrity.
The self righteous, sanctimonious replies to this post is turning me off this app if this is how it's going to be. You guys won't win the culture war with this approach.
W. Kamau is one of the few people I believe who could survive performing there at this time. W. knows himself. His soul will be fine. He's been "woke," very vocal, opinionated for years. Spoken word hits differently than songs. Managers & the audience know what they're getting.
I will never put a nickel in this sellout's pockets. If you do a show for a Nazi, you are a Nazi. For the duration of Trump's tenure as its Director, I will keep a list of EVERYONE who stoops to perform there, and they will never perform for me.
The passive language in the article is misleading: "The president wants to move away from performances that he views as "woke culture," which Trump believes the center has focused on in the past, according to reporting from CBS News." The President's actions are racist, plain and simple.
If you don’t use your platform to speak truth to power in a venue that’s just been taken over, what’s the point? If you just walk away from the table because you are unhappy that they are trying to erase your voice, you’ve just agreed to let that happen.
I understand and respect his decision to perform at the Kennedy Center. The audiences and the donors hold real power. Audiences by attending some shows and not others. Donors by donating under the circumstances or not. Mr. Bell can be himself and bring a message if he’s so inclined.
Yeah that's the move of a sellout. The Kennedy Center is finished at least for the moment he will be renaming at the Trump Center watch it happen. Any artist who considers themselves an artist needs to stay away
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He is trying to gain something for his own personal interest.
I keep track of where MY money goes and what networks I watch.
Laugh at DAT.
Now he has installed
His lackies in
DOJ the WH. SCOTUS
wtf people
Wake up
That's the rules millions died to make.
Respect their sacrifice please.
Your spine must wave in the wind more fierce than a wacky waving inflatable tube man if this turns you off the platform.
There is no middle ground with Nazis.
Done
Nope.
You chose to stand with the fascist, Bell. Never will I see you or hear you. You may as well not exist.
Consequences, motherfucker.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Paris, France, 1806
"He who saves his country does not violate any laws"
Donald Trump, Washington DC, USA, 2025
Both ruthless and quite vicious rulers aspiring to conquer the world.
This could not have been less of a story if it tried.
Carrie Underwood
Snoop Dogg
Nelly
Eric Adams
Fitty Cent