VP Vance Shrugs Off ‘Boos’ From DC Elites During Kennedy Center Appearance

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, remained unbothered when some elite Washington, D.C., attendees jeered at them Thursday evening at the Kennedy Center.

A widely shared video posted by The Guardian's Andrew Roth showed the vice presidential couple receiving a hostile reception as they took their seats in the box tier at the John F. Kennedy Center during a symphony performance.

Despite the boos, Vance stayed composed, offering a wry smile and a casual wave while sipping his wine.

Audience members could be heard shouting, "You ruined this place!" and "Yeah, January 6th!"

At one moment, another voice in the crowd called out, "kill that light!"

Vance and his wife continued their conversation as if nothing had happened, appearing completely indifferent to the audience's reaction. Once the performance began, the boos faded, and the couple remained for the entire concert.

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Thursday’s performance featured the National Symphony Orchestra, which played works by Igor Stravinsky and Dmitri Shostakovich, including violinist Leonidas Kavakos’s rendition of Shostakovich’s "Violin Concerto No. 2."

Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all 31 trustees of the Kennedy Center, seeking to remove what he saw as leftist influences from the institution. This move was consistent with promises he had made publicly on Truth Social as early as February 7, following his critical assessment of the center’s programming.

Trump appointed Richard Grenell, a member of his first administration and now serving as envoy for special missions, as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center after assuming control of the venue.

During an Oval Office meeting with the prime minister of Ireland this week, Trump momentarily shifted focus from discussing the economy and inflation to comment on Vance’s attire, drawing laughter from those in attendance.

Vance had opted for socks decorated with shamrocks along with a green tie in honor of the meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin.

“I love these socks! What’s with these socks? I’m trying to stay focused, but I’m gonna ask for the VP’s socks,” Trump remarked, prompting laughter from Vance, Martin, and others in the room.

Sharing a video clip of the exchange on the X platform, Vance added with an LOL emoji, "I knew he’d comment on these socks."

Earlier that day, Vance and the second lady welcomed Martin and his wife to the Naval Observatory, the vice president’s residence.

“In your honor, I have worn these shamrocks,” Vance told Martin, showing off his socks.

“I will say when we meet later in the Oval Office,” Vance continued, “the president is a very big fan of conservative dress.”

Addressing Martin, Vance added, “If he notices socks, you have to defend me in the Oval Office and say this is an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship, and that’s the only reason I’m wearing these socks.”

He also spoke about the ties between the U.S. and Ireland, saying, “One of the things we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland.”

Martin also touched on the U.S.-Ireland relationship, including America’s involvement in helping to resolve the conflict between the Irish Republican Army and the British government, as the IRA had fought for decades to end Britain’s control over Northern Ireland.