Right-wing tantrum over Jill Biden Christmas video accidentally reveals how much MAGA hates America

[marmar]

Right-wing tantrum over Jill Biden Christmas video accidentally reveals how much MAGA hates America
When the "war on woke" is over, the only entertainment left for Trump cultists will be Dear Leader's speeches

By AMANDA MARCOTTE
Senior Writer
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 18, 2023 5:45AM (EST)


(Salon) Last week, First Lady Jill Biden, rejecting her predecessor's loathing of Christmas cheer, posted a sweet and silly video of the Dorrance Dance company performing a tap dance to a jazz reimagining of "Dance of the Floreadores" from "The Nutcracker Suite."

To normal people, the video was a bit of old-fashioned Christmas cheer in the great American tradition of musical extravaganzas like those of Busby Berkeley. To MAGA-Americans, however, it was a moral and aesthetic outrage that was going straight into their file labeled "Why Now Is The Time For American Fascism." Tellingly, despite the flood of angry comments, Republicans struggled to articulate exactly what they found so offensive. Vague terms like "weird," "grotesque and abhorrent," and "classless" accompanied odd accusations that the performance reminded them of "The Hunger Games." Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok whined that it "should’ve come with a sensitivity label." To her million-plus Twitter followers, right-wing influencer Brigitte Gabriel groused, "Children should not be watching this smut!"

....(snip)....

Well, MAGA has their reasons to beat around the bush, but that shouldn't stop the rest of us. Anyone with working knowledge of right-wing trigger points knows what fueled the outrage, and it's not just a general right-wing aversion to fun. It's plain bigotry. The first smiling face we see in the video is a Black woman. Throughout the video, many of the dancers read as people of color and queer people. Plus, the music is jazz, not classical. We are apparently at that point in fascist development where they reject syncopated rhythms as decadent and emasculating.

....(snip)....

Biden's haters dug up a statement of anti-racism from the troupe's leader, Michelle Dorrance, and held it out as some kind of gotcha. But they gotcha'd themselves, by dragging that subtext right into the daylight. Racism and homophobia are obviously what's fueling this tantrum. Getting outraged over an anti-racist statement is an unwitting admission of what they can't say out loud. (Well, most, anyway. There were a few MAGA types who flatly stated their objection: "This is gay as hell." ) All the coded language about "weird" and "classless" and "smut" was just a thin veil over the real grievance: The people MAGA hates were up in the White House having a good time. .................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2023/12/18/right-wing-tantrum-over-jill-biden-christmas-video-accidentally-reveals-how-much-maga-hates-america/

[Lonestarblue]

1. That was fun to watch. The MAGA crowd hates even a black person being a visitor to the White House.

They probably also remember that no reputable performers would perform at his inauguration or at any event at the White House during his term, so they have to trash anyone who now performs for the Bidens.

[speak easy]

30. MAGA is hate.

Their crowd needs regular fixes.

[yardwork]

2. While we're on the subject, The Nutcracker is gay as hell, anyway

It's a weird, campy story about a creepy uncle, a little girl in the clutches of marching mice armed with bayonets, and fairies.

[Maraya1969]

34. I was just thinking of that. I wonder what would happen if the White House had a produiction

of The Nutcracker and didn't name it? Would we get the same shit about gayness from dingbats that don't know it is a classic?

[yardwork]

37. It's just so interesting how many people accept things they're told to accept.

And reject things they're told to reject.

All those commenters talking about gay, and smut, and "this isn't for children" but they take their little kids to see the Nutcracker every year without question.

[sheshe2]

53. They probably have never been to a contemporary ballet.

I saw La Mer last year.

In a new piece led by artist and choreographer NANINE LINNING, Boston Ballet sheds light on the importance of ocean preservation. Together, with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), we believe that the creative drive inherent in both the arts and sciences to learn more about the world around us can be the basis for positive change worldwide. The goal of the ballet is to inspire curiosity about our shared ocean planet and to raise hope for a sustainable future for all.

Introducing WHOI
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN SCIENCE AND CREATIVE PROCESSES

Boston Ballet and WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION (WHOI) have joined forces to collaborate on Nanine Linning’s upcoming world premiere, La Mer, a contemporary ballet that explores the nature of threats facing the ocean, as well as the potential in the ocean to create solutions to our most challenging environmental and societal problems.

https://www.bostonballet.org/behind-the-scenes-of-la-mer/

If you get the chance, see it.

I agree 100% with your post.

[yardwork]

64. It sounds wonderful!

[whathehell]

45. Don't see anything gay about this or the nutcracker

My gaydar may be off, but I'd guess the magats are mostly put off by the racial composition.
They need to be roundly and soundly IGNORED.

[ShazzieB]

68. And don't forget the dancing flowers!

I never thought of the Nutcracker that way before, but that is so true!

[ShazzieB]

70. The MAGA reaction to that video is definitely about bigotry!

That, and the fact that those people have a extremely low tolerance for anything that is the tiniest bit nontraditional or unconventional.

P.S. I never heard of that Swing Kids movie before, but now I definitely want to check it out!

EDIT: I meant to post this as a direct reply to the o.p. Not sure how it ended up here, lol. Since it already got a reply, I'll leave this here but also add it to the bottom of the thread.

[yardwork]

71. Exactly! The dude dressed as a flower in the video is on point!

I think it's hilarious that MAGAs are freaking out about this campy video that perfectly captures the Nutcracker ethos.

[tanyev]

3. Only a few years ago they loved weird, grotesque, abhorrent and classless.

[Walleye]

5. That display looks like somebody ate the brown acid from Woodstock

[Cha]

54. lol What the heck is it?

[sheshe2]

55. That is almost exactly what Sen. Mike Lee said...

About Jill Biden's Nutcracker.

Sen Mike Lee said he never did acid in his life...but if he did Flotus's christmas is what it would look like.

For some reason he has been all over Twitter lately. He must be the new MAGA spokesperson.

[John Shaft]

6. Looks like the lair of Krampus

[NBachers]

48. Let Us Prey

[NBachers]

47. "It is I, the Dark Lord, who owns you now. Bow before me! BWAaahhh ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ahhh ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa!"

[Walleye]

4. I'm thinking of old Southerners like representative Virginia Foxx

I’m sure she remembers a time when black boys weren’t in allowed to dance with white girls. It was considered against God’s will in the south

[John Shaft]

7. It would get a Black man lynched.

[Wednesdays]

31. Look at what happened to Emmett Till for WHISTLING at a white woman!

And it's unclear whether he even did THAT much.

[enigmania]

63. My maternal Grandmother,

born in Darlington County, SC in 1903, would grow apoplectic at the mere thought of a mixed-race couple.

[Walleye]

66. Yep, many of those people are still around. Seems like they are gaining followers

[AllaN01Bear]

8. moer like jealous . that vid was posted on here awahile back. aww poor things .

loved her vid.

[Ocelot II]

9. Black people and a guy with a big flower on his head! Dancing! To jazz!

The horror, the horror....

[Cha]

56. Yes absolutely Terrifying.. What will

the children think?

[Emrys]

60. IN THE WHITE HOUSE!!!!1!

[mn9driver]

10. The Nazis outlawed jazz.

It was deemed to be ‘decadent’.

[onecaliberal]

11. I don't really care, do you?

[Oopsie Daisy]

12. It's wonderful! But I wish they had gone BIGGER... like an old Busby Berkley extravaganza number! *

* complete with overhead cameras that reveal intricate human geometric patterns (like a kaleidoscope of synchronized movements coming together to form various snowflake shapes) and fountains, and balloons, bubbles, and confetti... lots of bubbles and confetti.

[LiberalFighter]

13. Are they upset about last nite's Hallmark Channel movie with two lesbian women that fall into love?

[Shipwack]

32. Whaaaaaat?

It's been a few years since I've watched a Hallmark movie, but my SO at the time devoured a couple a day, and I was with her for most of them.

I only saw one person of color, and she was a minor character. No one even mentioned the word "gay".

Not surprised it was two women breaking the ice; it usually is. Bi men bring up the rear (no pun intended!). I think the only time I've seen a bisexual male was one of the characters on the TV show "The Great Indoors". It was only brought up once in a bit, and was surprisingly respectful (though funny).

?si=h5b8qNOTsZMtuYtZ

[Oopsie Daisy]

14. It's better than Melania's horrific and tasteless Tim Burtonesque shitshow *

[NBachers]

50. "Every time I look, those trees are getting closer!"

[Prairie Gates]

15. Nicely done

"We are apparently at that point in fascist development where they reject syncopated rhythms as decadent and emasculating."



That's a good line. They're coming for abstract art next!

[bluesbassman]

16. Sad little people. But RW media companies and influencers like Raichik and Gabriel make a shit ton of money off of them.

Fanning the flames with subtle, not so subtle, and outright racist and bigoted tropes is good for business, and business is a boomin'!

[Goodheart]

17. Well, they have somewhat of a point..

jazz sucks.

[marmar]

19. Only to the uncultured. LOL.

[SCantiGOP]

20. That wasn't jazz (which is great)

That was (gasp) tap, which does pretty well
suck.
Overall, not an issue of great import unless - as the OP points out - you are driven to panic by the sight of black or gay people.

[Mossfern]

29. I love tap!

My dad danced for Gus Edwards Kids in Vaudeville when he was a child.
He taught us all the time step. Buck and wing was a bit more difficult.

[SCantiGOP]

44. Sorry, but...

I’m sure your Dad was talented, but I spent too many agonizing hours sitting on metal gym seats watching 4, 6 or 10 year olds tapping on a plywood floor while I am thinking, “Was this worth $200?”

[flashman13]

33. You want jazz - I'll give you jazz. Hang on!

&t=1s

[senseandsensibility]

43. Jazz is one of the world's greatest art forms

brought to us largely, along with the blues, by African Americans. I really enjoyed your clip, and thanks for posting, but I get the feeling that MAGATS wouldn't object to it. The reason is probably clear.

[Walleye]

67. No it doesn't

[Tesha]

18. Clearly...

They haven't seen the Nutcracker
They didn't watch it and formed their opinion by just absorbing other's opinions
They have to find stuff to stir up hate to keep people on edge

Clearly this is just another of moment of the right-wing's outrage machine at work

[Farmer-Rick]

21. It's all about the hate

Instead of seeing a great, fun way to show off the required over the top Christmas decorations at the White House, they see people they hate having a wonderful time. It galls them......good.

It sure beats creepy shadowy trees with posed little white girls in tutus acting as human decoration.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

22. These are the idiots who like Melania's decorations

Link to tweet

[Butterflylady]

46. They are so jealous that they don't have

Anyone as lovely, gracious and talented as Dr. Jill Biden. All they have is Creulla D'vil.

[Emile]

23. That's all Republicans know is to put down the United States.

[hlthe2b]

24. Like bringing a little Broadway revival to the Whtie House.

I refuse to allow these assholes criticizing for the sake of criticizing to spoil it.

[homegirl]

25. Merry Christmas...

Watched it last week, great dancers and production. Brought back images of Fred & Ginger and Shirley Temple on the silver screen.

[DBoon]

26. The original Nazis called it "Entartete Kunst"

Today's American Nazis couldn't pronounce that.

Degenerate art (German: Entartete Kunst) was a term adopted in the 1920s by the Nazi Party in Germany to describe modern art. During the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler, German modernist art, including many works of internationally renowned artists, was removed from state-owned museums and banned in Nazi Germany on the grounds that such art was an "insult to German feeling", un-German, Freemasonic, Jewish, or Communist in nature. Those identified as degenerate artists were subjected to sanctions that included being dismissed from teaching positions, being forbidden to exhibit or to sell their art, and in some cases being forbidden to produce art.
...
While modern styles of art were prohibited, the Nazis promoted paintings and sculptures that were traditional in manner and that exalted the "blood and soil" values of racial purity, militarism, and obedience. Similar restrictions were placed upon music, which was expected to be tonal and free of any jazz influences; disapproved music was termed degenerate music. Films and plays were also censored.[

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_arthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Degenerate_art

[japple]

27. But this is heartwarming? Clip from the Ghost of Christmas past (youtube from 2017 in the white house)

?si=O_wg7kV9Vvr23SN6

[hunter]

28. Video link from Daily Kos. (I don't do twitter)

Last edited Mon Dec 18, 2023, 01:05 PM - Edit history (1)

If you search for the video you'll have to wade through a deluge of Nazi outrage.

[Diamond_Dog]

35. THAT dance number is what has their knickers up in a twist?

I thought it was upbeat, campy, and fun.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

58. There was at least 1 Democrat involved and therefore Repukes must roar.

[LaMouffette]

40. Thanks for the video! I refuse to do Twitter, too. The video was absolutely delightful and joyous and

inclusive and humorous and fun—in other words, all the things the MAGA Repubes hate!

Plus, TAP DANCING!!! Which I adore!

[NBachers]

52. Thank you! I love it! Think how many times they had to repeat their numbers for the filming. Well done!

[Mysterian]

36. The gullible bumpkins are kept in a state of perpetual outrage

by their beloved Fox "News" and other fascist outlets. It's amazing they don't fall over dead from being so unhappy.

[LudwigPastorius]

38. _

[oasis]

39. Fabulous video. I loved it.

[struggle4progress]

41. oh, dearie me!

[EnergizedLib]

42. I enjoyed the performance

Meanwhile, allow me to dissect this complaints for you.

See, there are black people, especially black women, at the White House, and we know a black family in the White House from 2009-2017 was too much for a lot of people.

Therefore, the sight of black people in the White House trigger MAGAts.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

49. The Lincoln Project-What a difference a year makes

Link to tweet

[RussBLib]

51. I found it a little weird

...but, so what?

[Celerity]

57. in what way?

I found it a little weird

[RussBLib]

73. the music, for one

...I grew up listening to the Nutcracker Suite on my little turntable that played 78rpm's, and I heard maybe a couple of distant connections to that music. Just seemed disjointed to me. And the tap dancing seemed rather unremarkable, especially when they were dancing in some room with carpet. And the guy playing air guitar, when there were no noticeable guitars in the music. Odd. And the ending was rather abrupt.

It was quite removed from the somber tones of Trump's WH, but a bit too far in the opposite direction perhaps. Suffice to say I would never pay to see a tap-dancing troupe. Just not my thing.

Just a great big "meh" for me, but it was, at least, better than what we got during the dark ages of the Trump term.

[yardwork]

65. It IS weird - as is The Nutcracker story.

It's perfectly in line with the story itself, which is quite weird.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

59. Distracting the magas. Do not look at fascism, get outraged & defend white christianity

Do not look at the walking sphincter losing court battle after court battle day after day.

Manufacture some maga outrage so they will consume his hitleresque statements as defence of christianity, their white imitation of christianity

[ananda]

61. Magas just making up reasons to hate.

Trump and his cult really get off on hate.

[Maeve]

62. Jazz is America's greatest musical gift to the world

Which is why the Nazis hated it--too non-European for their delicate white ears...(ok, too black!)

And the name came from the Irish word for "heat" (most likely origin; thru the fantastic mix of cultures that was turn of the 20th century New Orleans, but that's a whole 'nother story)

[ificandream]

69. magas just want to obstruct ....

... and then complain that Dems get nothing done. It's just a silly game.

[ShazzieB]

72. The MAGA reaction to this is definitely about bigotry!

That, and the fact that those people have a extremely low tolerance for anything that is the tiniest bit nontraditional or unconventional.