Bluesky users share Aretha Franklin Kennedy Center performance video
A viral post of the singer's renowned rendition sparks nostalgia and political commentary about the venue's future.
What to know
- A video of Aretha Franklin's Kennedy Center performance went viral on Bluesky, generating over 3,000 likes and extensive commentary.
- Commenters expressed nostalgia for earlier administrations and periods they associate with cultural achievement and national pride.
- Multiple users raised concerns about the Kennedy Center's institutional preservation, linking its fate to current political leadership.
- The discussion centered on cultural values and artistic excellence as expressions of national character.
The dispute The conversation assumes a shared concern about institutional threats rather than debating whether such threats are real; disagreement exists only in degree of alarm and in competing interpretations of which figure or party represents the threat. · positions read across 217 posts and comments
The performance represents a peak of American cultural achievement and national pride that is at risk under current leadership.
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“I'm so sad. I hope our nation can get back "here" someday. Life was good. I was so proud to be an American.”
pnwlib.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The Kennedy Center and its cultural mission are under direct threat and require active defense against political destruction.
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“One of the reasons the reprehensible ghoul occupying our White House wants to destroy the Kennedy Center is because the Obamas loved it.”
susancamille.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The video demonstrates the enduring power of artistic excellence and cultural achievement to inspire and unite.
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“Have watched this umpteen times and it still blows me away. Freaking amazing performance.💗💗💗💗”
sarabeegee.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Aretha Franklin Performer featured in video
Carole King Songwriter
How it unfolded 4 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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Commenters raise concerns about Kennedy Center's future
Several users explicitly reference threats to the Kennedy Center's preservation and governance, directing criticism at current political leadership.
“One of the reasons the reprehensible ghoul occupying our White House wants to destroy the Kennedy Center is because the Obamas loved it.”
— susancamille.bsky.social -
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That is the *real* reason why Donald Trump is threatening to shut down the #KennedyCenter. A lowbrow slob like Donald could never attract genuine talents like Carole King and Aretha Franklin. The best he'd come up with is Kid Rock getting a lap dance.
2 more of the top 3 · 208 posts in this stretch
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Have watched this umpteen times and it still blows me away. Freaking amazing performance.💗💗💗💗
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This is something I play pretty often. I love everything about it and often stand up when she drops that coat!! No one will ever love trump the way that room loves Obama, Aretha and Carole King!
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Discussion expands to include political commentary
Comments increasingly reference political figures and elections, with some users invoking concerns about institutional preservation and contrasting past and present administrations.
“The beauty that can be when we have a functioning government. Ahhh, the good days. Hopefully we will see some more of them.”
— theonerealjane.bsky.social -
One of the reasons the reprehensible ghoul occupying our White House wants to destroy the Kennedy Center is because the Obamas loved it.
2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
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I’m so sad. I hope our nation can get back “here” someday. Life was good. I was so proud to be an American.
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The beauty that can be when we have a functioning government. Ahhh, the good days. Hopefully we will see some more of them. We have to ACT to make it happen! ACT!!!
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Commenters express emotional response to performance
Multiple users begin commenting with emotional reactions to the video content, with responses ranging from appreciation for the performance to nostalgia for earlier periods.
“Brought tears to my eyes; a legendary talent & humanitarian who defied abuse & racism, performing for the 1st black man who defied racism & white supremacy to be elected president…”
— legalizingblkness.bsky.social -
If those walls could talk! Which is why they must stay up!
2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
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Bought me to tears just now. Classic brilliance.
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So wonderful! What a way to start the morning.
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Bluesky user shares Kennedy Center performance video
A post by antifapatriot.bsky.social featuring video of a performance at the Kennedy Center was shared on Bluesky, receiving over 3,000 likes and 170 comments.
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¡ THIS ¡ is The Kennedy Center! 💥💯 ❤️🔥👑🥲😍🤩😘 #KennedyCenter
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What people are saying 16 voices from 1 site · best of 217 · verbatim
- Sep 19
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I could cry sitting here watching this and thinking of all the things he's ruined and can still ruin in 2 more years. It's a travesty. A real democracy would have impeached him already.
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THIS IS WHAT TALENTLESS, FASCIST, LYING MALIGNANT NARCISSIST, SCUMBAG TRAITOR TRUMP HATES - the fact that USA is so multi-racial, multi-cultural, and that so many of our most talented artists, musicians, sports legends, scientists and intellectuals are Black, or not as White as he wants them to be.
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👏👏🫶 Aretha doing what she did Best...blow the roof off the place!!
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I do believe it was Trump’s complete and utter failure in taking over The Kennedy Center~~ That made him come to the stark realization that he is indeed hated.
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Eeew, Trump giving Kid Rock a lap dance 🤮.
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If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, nothing will. Performances like that are why Trump wants to destroy that whole building. He’s just a classless, trashy lug, and the amazing performances that have taken place in there reminds him of what a useless POS he is.
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I'm not crying, you're... great American stuff here: Carole King Aretha Franklin Michelle and Barack Obama
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Not to mention the brilliant Carole King, who wrote the song, watching the performance in awe.
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Another moment that will go down in history. Chills.
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Trump is trying to destroy times like this! #FuckTrump
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This performance of Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center brings tears to my eyes. The Kennedy Center, White House, Smithsonian, Washington monument, Lincoln monument and more ALL belong to We the People, not that criminal POS tRump. Clean the Republican swamp in November & 2028 and VOTE BLUE!! 🙏🇺🇲🙏
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He calls himself as a builder. I think of him as Donald the Destroyer.
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One of the things in this life I am most grateful for was having had the opportunity to see/hear Aretha Franklin perform live on many occasions. And in Detroit - something to behold. The Queen. #Gratitude
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I cry EVERY SINGLE time I see this video, we need more beauty like this in our lives.
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This is Class… which is something Donald Trump has very little of! He must have nothing to do with the Kennedy Center!
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The Queen of Soul. Undisputed. So moving.