The nephew of John Kander, one half of the Kander and Ebb songwriting duo responsible for the iconic “Theme from New York, New York,” criticized Kari Lake’s remarks on the song at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Arizona. Lake, a GOP nominee for a U.S. Senate seat and a Trump-endorsed election denier, shared her experience of spending her 52nd birthday with the former president in New York City and referenced the use of “that famous golden escalator” and a “golden elevator” in Trump Tower. She likened her experience to the lyrics of the song, suggesting that Trump Tower was what Frank Sinatra sang about in “New York, New York.”
In response to Lake’s comments, John Kander’s nephew, former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, took to social media to set the record straight. He reminded Lake that his uncle co-wrote the song and that it was not about Trump Tower, which did not even exist at the time of the song’s release. Kander also pointed out that his uncle supports Ruben Gallego, Lake’s Democratic opponent in the Arizona Senate race. This social media post was a way for Kander to provide some perspective and clarification on the origins and meaning of the iconic song.
Lake’s comments at the Trump campaign rally drew criticism and pushback from Kander and others who were familiar with the song and its history. Lake’s attempt to link the song to Trump Tower and her experiences in New York City was seen as misrepresentation of the song’s original meaning and message. The fact that Lake made these comments at a political event further fueled the debate and raised questions about the appropriateness of her remarks in that context.
Lake’s reference to Frank Sinatra’s cover of “New York, New York” and her association of the song with Trump Tower highlighted a misunderstanding of the song’s lyrics and intended meaning. The song, originally performed by Liza Minnelli, is a celebration of New York City as a place of opportunity and resilience. By attempting to connect the song to Trump Tower and her experiences with Trump, Lake may have missed the broader message of the song and its significance in American culture.
The exchange between Lake and Kander served as a reminder of the power and impact of music in shaping cultural narratives and memories. By highlighting the history and context of the song “New York, New York,” Kander sought to correct misconceptions and provide a more accurate interpretation of the song’s lyrics. This incident also underscored the ways in which political figures and events can intersect with popular culture, leading to debates and discussions about the meanings and interpretations of art and music.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Lake’s remarks on the song “New York, New York” at the Trump campaign rally in Arizona highlighted the intersection of politics, popular culture, and historical context. Kander’s response provided a counterpoint to Lake’s interpretation of the song and emphasized the importance of understanding the origins and meanings of cultural artifacts. This incident sparked a larger conversation about the ways in which music and art can be misinterpreted or weaponized for political purposes, underscoring the need for clarity and accuracy in discussing and appreciating works of art and cultural heritage.
