Clinton reportedly wants a Hamilton performance at the Democratic Convention
If there is one thing even Democrats have to admit Donald Trump is great at, it's entertaining. Now, a month out from the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, the party as well as its presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton, are looking for the kind of entertainment that can draw primetime eyeballs — particularly young, diverse eyeballs.
And in 2016, that can only mean one thing.
Sources revealed to Politico that Democratic operatives have reached out to Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda about performing at the convention. In addition to writing and performing in a Tony-award-winning musical about the eponymous Founding Father, Miranda has free-styled with President Obama — so the Democrats might even have a shot, despite Miranda being famously busy and difficult to book. Miranda's father, however, has denied rumors that his son is being sought for a slot at the convention; the DNC and Clinton campaign declined to comment to Politico.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Democrats are concerned that the Donald Trump show at the Republican National Convention just days before will overshadow even the biggest pop stars Clinton can muster. "[Trump is] a political Kardashian. His campaign has been the longest, grossest sex tape ever released," strategist Tommy Vietor explained.
And while an anonymous "close Clinton ally" told Politico that the Democrats "won't have a lack of entertainment," they certainly have an uphill battle ahead of them. "The nights are three-hour primetime TV shows," Democratic consultant Ken Sunshine said. "Entertainment and adding excitement become a key part of it, as opposed to hard-core politics. The one that understands that is Trump, except that's all he seems to understand."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
11 extra-special holiday gifts for everyone on your listThe Week Recommends Jingle their bells with the right present
-
‘Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right’ by Laura K. Field and ‘The Dream Factory: London’s First Playhouse and the Making of William Shakespeare’ by Daniel SwiftFeature An insider’s POV on the GOP and the untold story of Shakespeare’s first theater
-
How to shop smarter with a grocery budgetThe Explainer No more pushing your cart down the aisles on autopilot
-
Ex-FBI agents sue Patel over protest firingspeed read The former FBI agents were fired for kneeling during a 2020 racial justice protest for ‘apolitical tactical reasons’
-
Trump unveils $12B bailout for tariff-hit farmersSpeed Read The president continues to insist that his tariff policy is working
-
Trump’s Comey case dealt new setbackspeed read A federal judge ruled that key evidence could not be used in an effort to reindict former FBI Director James Comey
-
Moscow cheers Trump’s new ‘America First’ strategyspeed read The president’s national security strategy seeks ‘strategic stability’ with Russia
-
Trump tightens restrictions for work visasSpeed Read The length of work permits for asylum seekers and refugees has been shortened from five years to 18 months
-
Supreme Court revives Texas GOP gerrymanderSpeed Read Texas Republicans can use the congressional map they approved in August at President Donald Trump’s behest
-
Boat strike footage rattles some lawmakersSpeed Read ‘Disturbing’ footage of the Sept. 2 attack on an alleged drug-trafficking boat also shows the second strike that killed two survivors who were clinging to the wreckage
-
Trump boosts gas cars in fuel economy rollbackspeed read Watering down fuel efficiency standards is another blow to former President Biden’s effort to boost electric vehicles
