Wave That Flag: Meet the Deadheads Who Stump for Trump – Variety
Posted: November 7, 2020 at 4:00 am
On the lawn of Jeff Whritenours house in Kinnelon, New Jersey, a sign reads, Presidents are temporary, the Grateful Dead is forever. A few feet away, a flag bearing the iconography of the Grateful Dead flies above a Trump 2020 banner. Passersby often pause for a double-take, no doubt questioning what many would perceive as conflicting messages. After all, the Dead were liberal, pot-smoking hippies of the San Francisco counterculture; musicians inspired by the LSD experience of the 1960s and the Beat Generation. These attributes arent what naturally comes to mind when thinking of Donald Trumps supporters but Whritenour doesnt see it that way.
Im not a big fan of the president, but at the end of the day, Trump is about individual freedom and so was the Dead, says the insurance claims consultant. His take, along with that of an unknown number of Trump-supporting Deadheads, is that the Grateful Deads philosophy was about individual liberties and not telling people what to do.
I aint buyin it, declares Dennis McNally, the Grateful Deads longtime publicist and author of A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead. McNally worked for the band from 1984 to 2004 and feels that the essence of the Grateful Deads music and its core members Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann is to be compassionate and tolerant. The capacity for people to compartmentalize their lives is infinite, and anyone who is serious about being a Deadhead and then supports Trump is more or less consciously overlooking the values that he espouses which are bigotry and cruelty.
The Deads lyrics are not a polemic, there is a lot of room for interpretation and disparate perceptions. Further, its difficult to identify a singular theme or collective Grateful Dead political philosophy. Most of their lyrics were written by Robert Hunter, a poet inspired by folk music whose words elicited no mundane meanings but rather formed an authentic journey into an old, ideal, adventurous storybook America. The Dead saw themselves as meta-political, playing concerts at anti-war protests but never supporting any political candidates. In fact, its rare that an original song by the Dead even reference a news event of its time. The Dead have no Ohio in their repertoire.
Courtesy of Jeff Whritenour
That political agnosticism may in fact be what draws Republicans and libertarians to the band. Deroy Murdock, a political commentator and Fox News contributor, saw the Dead over 70 times and uses the song Liberty specifically Hunters lyric to find my own way home as evidence that the Deads values are inherently conservative. Murdock attended Dead shows in the 80s and 90s with other rightist commentators like Ann Coulter and Marc Caputo. The emphasis of individuality, self-expression, and patriotism is appealing to Trump supporters, says Murdock, who prefers to focus on the presidents policy record rather than his public demeanor. Yet, after over four years of nonstop coverage, late-night tweet storms, and questionable leadership, its hard not to focus on Trumps character. Murdock thinks that Garcia, the Deads somewhat reluctant leader, and Hunter would have found Trump amusing. They would have laughed at his antics.
Actually, Hunter is spinning in his grave, says McNally, who worked closely with the late lyricist and Garcia. Steve Silberman, a New York Times best-selling author who co-produced So Many Roads, a boxset of Grateful Dead music, says of Garcia: Could you imagine Jerry supporting a government kidnapping 500 children and losing their parents? I cant.
This isnt to say the band never took a political stance. In the summer of 1989, members of the Dead testified before Congress to raise awareness of deforestation in Malaysia. Garcia lit a cigarette in the non-smoking chamber before Representative Claudine Schneider, a Republican from Rhode Island, stated that her guess would be 90% of Deadheads did not vote. Garcia himself rarely voted, except as Silberman recounts, for Lyndon B. Johnson over Barry Goldwater in 1964. A few years later in 1993, Garcia stood in the oval office wearing sweatpants and sneakers as Vice President Al Gore explained the origins of the Resolute Desk, wearing a three-piece suit. We would have never gone to the White House if a Republican was in office, says McNally.
Garcias small acts of rebellion were indicative of a Grateful Dead philosophy that put great stock in freedom, autonomy, independence and not preaching to the population. Still his reasoning for being invested in the rainforest issue was: I am an earthling on this planet, pointing toward a spirit of caring that is at the core of the Deads philosophy.
Conservative Deadheads have gotten much more stupid and much more programmed, says Silberman, who fears civil war may be imminent with potential polling place violence on election day and Trumps continued spread of Covid-19-related misinformation. He, like countless others quarantined in their homes for months, has found himself returning to the comfort music of his youth, turning to the Deads melodies and sense of community for something more meaningful, as a place to be reborn at every show.
But Silberman also recalls shows in the 70s and 80s where he felt afraid to hold his boyfriends hand in public, worried about being gay-bashed by those in attendance. Homophobia and sexism ran in the Grateful Dead family, he says.
Murdock, who is a Black gay man, insists that the scene was inclusive. He also feels strongly that Trump is not a racist. If he were racist, he would not have ended mass incarceration, states Murdock, falsely, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The issue at the heart of conservative Deadheads point of view is the desire for little to no government interference in their private lives. Offers Whritenour: We shouldnt focus on Trump the man, but instead the right to do what I want with my time, money, and life.
North Carolina newspaper editor Brian Clary, who attended Dead shows in the 80s and 90s, counters that the peace and love vibe does not square with Trump at all. If anything, he believes Trump-supporting Deadheads are misinterpreting the songs and the culture. The I got mine, you got yours philosophy that [Trumps] supporters are all about is the antithesis of the Grateful Dead.
Among the Deads guiding mantras is Garcias oft-sung line, Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world. And while Deadheads may not collectively agree on the greatest Dark Star jam or who was the bands best keyboardist, never mind politics, fans from all walks of life would endorse the fact that American has the right and duty to make their own decision on election day.
Follow this link:
Wave That Flag: Meet the Deadheads Who Stump for Trump - Variety
- Reaction To Passing Of Rush Limbaugh Trends On Social Media - Forbes - February 20th, 2021
- Jewel Hates Sexist Jokes But Will Let It Slide When Theyre Aimed at Ann Coulter - Showbiz Cheat Sheet - February 20th, 2021
- In the news - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette - February 20th, 2021
- From Michelle to Melania to Jill: At Least the White House Garden Experienced a Peaceful Transfer of Power - Vanity Fair - February 6th, 2021
- John Shearer: Random Thoughts About Mayoral Candidates And Past Mayors - The Chattanoogan - February 6th, 2021
- CNN host: Is Marjorie Taylor Greene's conduct a 'symptom' of a 'deep-seated mindset' in the GOP? - Raw Story - February 6th, 2021
- Piers Morgan erupts in fiery clash with GMB guest over US Election 'voter fraud' - Birmingham Live - November 12th, 2020
- Here's who could be the Republican presidential candidate in 2024 - New York Post - November 12th, 2020
- OU Student Advocates Against Governmental Injustice to hold informal protest at Ann Coulter speaking event - The Oklahoma Daily - November 7th, 2020
- Online lies and misinformation surge on Election Day - Anchorage Daily News - November 7th, 2020
- US election 2020 live stream: how to watch results online from UK tonight, and what time it starts - iNews - November 7th, 2020
- Donald Trump is preparing to strike his greatest deal yet - The Spectator US - November 7th, 2020
- How to watch US election 2020 in the UK: What time results start tonight, and full TV schedule - iNews - November 7th, 2020
- The Best Reactions to the Jeffrey Toobin Zoom Dick Incident - Washingtonian - October 21st, 2020
- Ann Coulter: Ask Ann anything! The ACB edition - Today's News-Herald - October 21st, 2020
- White Noise Review: Alt-Right Showcase Is the Scariest Documentary of the Year - IndieWire - October 21st, 2020
- Election 2020: From Halloween to Amazon book reviews, politics are everywhere - Deseret News - October 21st, 2020
- The Woman With the Pink Tennis Shoes Is Walking a Fine Line - The Atlantic - October 21st, 2020
- Wilfred Reilly insists 'Proud Boys aren't white supremacists' as Trump takes flak - Washington Times - October 6th, 2020
- Fact vs. opinion in the case of Kyle Rittenhouse: Part 2 - Clearfield Progress - October 6th, 2020
- Ann Coulters take on Trumps taxes has her critics agreeing with her - MarketWatch - September 30th, 2020
- Conservative Pundit Slams Donald Trump, Corrupt System Over Tax Returns - International Business Times - September 30th, 2020
- Democrat lawmaker slammed for saying shes embarrassed to be a white woman in apparent jab at Amy Coney Barr - The Sun - September 30th, 2020
- Twitter slammed for lack of action after journalist tweets Kenosha shooter Rittenhouse should be STABBED TO DEATH in prison - RT - September 30th, 2020
- Ann Coulter: Are the media trying to throw the election to Trump? - Today's News-Herald - September 5th, 2020
- With a hand from Trump, the right makes Rittenhouse a cause clbre - POLITICO - September 5th, 2020
- One of Trump's biggest detractors is as conservative as they come - Public Opinion - September 5th, 2020
- Coulter Brawls With Black Boyfriend After She Tests ... - July 7th, 2020
- Ann Coulter Hot Images (15 Hot Pics, Wallpapers 2020) - July 7th, 2020
- Yale Doesnt Need to Change Its Name - The Atlantic - July 7th, 2020
- Ann Coulter Turns on Disloyal Actual Retard Trump in ... - June 5th, 2020
- Ann Coulter Perfectly Mocks Trump's Absence of Leadership in This Time of Crisis With Savage Tweet for the Ages - Second Nexus - June 5th, 2020
- What is antifa and what does the movement want? - The Glen Rose Reporter - June 5th, 2020
- "Law and Order" President in Hiding as D.C. Burns - TheStreet - June 1st, 2020
- Letters to the editor, May 31, 2020 - Idaho Press-Tribune - June 1st, 2020
- New Poll Proves 40% Of Republicans Are Complete Idiots - The Ring of Fire Network - The Ring of Fire Network - June 1st, 2020
- Trump in the Lead in 15 Battleground States? Don't Believe It - TheStreet - May 26th, 2020
- AROUND TOWN: On being tested for COVID-19 at Kennesaw State University - MDJOnline.com - May 26th, 2020
- Julin Castro on Why Everyone Hates Ted Cruz - The Daily Beast - May 26th, 2020
- COOGANS BLUFF: Its all in the bookshelves - Wicked Local - May 13th, 2020
- 80s rocker Bryan Adams blamed coronavirus on bat eating - The Daily Dot - May 13th, 2020
- Katie Couric on How She Spared Ann Curry From an Interview with 'Provocateur' Ann Coulter - Showbiz Cheat Sheet - May 2nd, 2020
- Ann Coulter: Q & A on the Wuhan Virus - Breitbart - May 2nd, 2020
- Ann Coulter wiki, affair, married, Lesbian with age, height ... - April 21st, 2020
- ANN COULTER: Liberalism, like the Wuhan virus, will never die - MDJOnline.com - April 21st, 2020
- Jeff Sessions' Immigration Moratorium Should Have Trump's Backing - The Schpiel - April 21st, 2020
- Does the King of the COVID-19 Contrarians Have a Case? - Vanity Fair - April 21st, 2020
- Letters to the Editor: April 16, 2020 - TCPalm - April 21st, 2020
- Ann Coulter: How do we flatten the curve on panic? - Today's News-Herald - April 1st, 2020
- The Quarantinis Are Flowing and the Store Is Out of Milk Bones - The New York Times - April 1st, 2020
- The 20 Worst Tweets From Stupid Politicians and Misguided Celebrities on Coronavirus - Mandatory - April 1st, 2020
- SouthBound: Elaina Plott On Covering Politics, Writing With Compassion, And The Bullet In Her Arm - WFAE - April 1st, 2020
- How Do We Flatten the Curve on Panic? - Townhall - April 1st, 2020
- Ann Coulter Tells True Story of Being Banned from Fox News - March 22nd, 2020
- OAN correspondent goes full Q in the briefing room tells Trump the media has teamed up with foreign state propaganda - AlterNet - March 22nd, 2020
- Across the State - WV News - March 22nd, 2020
- 'Bear down and buckle up': Governor urges West Virginians to take action against COVID-19 - WV News - March 22nd, 2020
- Rick Wilson is further damaging what's left of CNN's and MSNBC's credibility - Washington Examiner - March 19th, 2020
- Marion Co. WV, still in great need of census workers - WV News - March 11th, 2020
- Yes, Coronavirus Is Worse Than the Flu - National Review - March 11th, 2020
- Michelle Malkin: Mother of Groypers - The Bulwark - March 11th, 2020
- Coulter: Democrats are killing their best chance to beat Trump with 'woke' politics | TheHill - The Hill - March 5th, 2020
- ANN COULTER: Harpooning the toxic whale | Opinion - MDJOnline.com - March 5th, 2020
- ExclusiveAnn Coulter: Bernie Sanders Would Have Helped Himself If He Had Not Flipped on Immigration - Breitbart - March 5th, 2020
- Chris Matthews Ceded Cable News to a New Generation. But Theyd Be Better Off Without It - TIME - March 5th, 2020
- Lindsey Graham to lead group of senators to White House for immigration talks - Fox News - March 5th, 2020
- ANN COULTER:The Boy Scouts have long been on the left's hate list - MDJOnline.com - February 23rd, 2020
- Ann Coulter: Honey, We Molested the Kids! - Breitbart - February 23rd, 2020
- UC Berkeley student senator resigns over resolution against Bears for Palestine - The Jewish News of Northern California - February 23rd, 2020
- The Five Best Things to Do in South Florida This Weekend - New Times Broward-Palm Beach - February 23rd, 2020
- Mick Mulvaney Says America Is Desperate For More Immigrants - The Ring of Fire Network - The Ring of Fire Network - February 23rd, 2020
- Ann Coulter 2019: dating, net worth, tattoos, smoking & body ... - December 25th, 2019
- Happy Kwanzaa! The Holiday Brought to You By the FBI - Townhall - December 25th, 2019
- Watch Ann Coulter: If We Dont Address Immigration, the Nuttiest of Democrat Proposals Will Come to the U.S. - Breitbart - December 25th, 2019
- WatchPanel Featuring Ann Coulter, Brandon Darby: A Nation Led by Paramilitary Cartels Is at Our Southern Border - Breitbart - December 25th, 2019
- 12 Unsettling Photos from the Young Conservative Convention Near Mar-a-Lago - VICE - December 25th, 2019
- Christmas Day Open Thread - legal Insurrection - December 25th, 2019
- SOAS to take action against 'ill-informed' academic who criticised Stormzy - Middle East Eye - December 25th, 2019
- ANN COULTER: Article I: Remove this beast from my sight! - MDJOnline.com - December 21st, 2019
- There Are Very Fine People on Both Sides of Kellyanne Conways Marriage Story - Vulture - December 21st, 2019