Concerns for Black and Gay Artists Under Trump

Actor Billy Porter has expressed worries about dwindling opportunities for Black and gay artists in what he describes as President Donald Trump’s America, claiming that American “fascists” are targeting the arts.

In a conversation with Al Sharpton during the anti-Trump “No Kings” rally at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Porter remarked, “Authoritarian governments first pursue art because art has the power to reach inside people and change their molecular structure from the inside out.” This comment highlights his belief in the transformative nature of art, emphasizing its perceived threat to authoritarianism.

Porter further asserted that artists who wield such influence are seen as “dangerous to fascists,” making them targets of these regimes. There’s something ironic in that notion, though; when under a true fascist regime, protesting isn’t really an option for many.

“This is a new world order,” he argued. “Our government doesn’t play by the rules; they don’t follow the law.” Participating in the No Kings protests, he said, brought him a sense of fulfillment.

When asked if the impacts of the Trump administration are felt in Hollywood and Broadway, Porter acknowledged this but added that it might take “a little while” for him to fully assess the situation. He noted that, as a Black, gay artist, he has navigated what some refer to as a performative awakening.

“I broke through the concrete glass ceiling,” Porter reflected, sharing that despite his success, he noticed a decline in job opportunities, even though certain genres, like “cop shows,” continue to thrive.

“The Midwest CBS shows, the police shows—all that stuff is still there,” he stated. “But when we talk about the heart, when we talk about connections, when we talk about people who aren’t like other people, there’s not a lot of that work being done right now.”

Protests erupted across several U.S. cities over the weekend, causing considerable disruption. In Los Angeles, demonstrators from the No Kings rally marched downtown, where they confronted Homeland Security officials to protect a federal courthouse. Reports mentioned that some protesters threw heavy objects at officials.

In Florida, tensions peaked as clashes occurred between leftist protesters and Trump supporters, with allegations of affiliations with domestic groups like Antifa. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, a video producer covering the protests encountered threats and aggression from attendees.