This is the third in a five-part “Bridge the Divide” series that showcases efforts by artists to find common ground.
Busty and the Bass may be a Canadian band, but they sing about values important to a healthy American democracy. Enjoy their video “Common Ground,” which has been viewed nearly 190,000 times.
President Donald Trump honored the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House during a ceremony presenting the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Washington.
WASHINGTON – With grit and team camaraderie, the Navy Midshipmen football team marched into the White House Tuesday, ready to hoist the Commander-in-Chief Trophy for winning the series in December against the Army and Air Force academies.
Their performance, both on and off the field, mirrored the kind of resilience and relentless spirit Trump said he wanted to see across the entire U.S. military.
“You showed the world the Midshipmen know how to fight, fight, fight — and win, win, win,” President Donald Trump said, beaming at the players lined up in the East Room.
Trump welcomed the team to celebrate their win over the Army 31-13 to clinch the annual series among the Army, Navy, and Air Force academies. He celebrated them for bringing the coveted 170-pound trophy back to Annapolis and showcasing the pride and playful rivalry that make this game a one-of-a-kind tradition.
To Trump, their season was not just a triumph in football; it was a testament to the mindset he believes must define the next generation of service members.
“They're not just great football players, and you can see this, that they are just amazing people. They're true American warriors and future submarine captains and fighter pilots and Marine infantry and Navy SEALs,” Trump said.
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Their season, which began in February 2024 before they ever stepped onto the field, started in the academy’s weight room, where pictures of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy were plastered on the walls as daily motivation. That focus carried them to victories over both the U.S. Military Academy’s Army Black Knights and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcons. The Midshipmen won 10 out of 13 games, with nine of those wins by double digits.
Trump praised the team’s hard work and spotlighted several key players in his remarks, including fullback Daba Fofana, quarterback Blake Horvath, linebacker Colin Ramos, free safety Rayuan Lane III, and nose guard Landon Robinson.
“First ever big shipment with two pick-sixes and a single game comeback,” Trump said, noting the season's defensive highlights.
Lane, a senior leader on the team, responded to the praise: “It’s an honor to be here. Thank you for the support. You know, go Navy, beat Army!”
Trump attended the 125th Army-Navy game in December and called it “one of the best ever between schools,” He said the team's dominance this year has cemented their place in history.
“With the win, this trophy, you secure your spot as one of the greatest teams in Navy football history,” he said.
Trump also reflected on his role as Commander-in-Chief.
“I have no higher honor than serving as the commander in chief of America's Armed Forces,” he said. “Today, I'm proud to announce that in February, the U.S. Navy had its best recruiting numbers since 2002.”
Before the election in October, the Navy announced it would be contracting over 40,000 recruits for fiscal year 2024. They said it was the most significant recruiting number in 20 years.
He held up the team as a model — not just of athletic excellence, but of the uncompromising attitude he wants to see driving every service member.
Trump also promised continued military investment: “As long as I'm commander in chief, the United States will always have the strongest, fiercest, and most powerful Navy on the sea. We're going to restock it like it hasn't been restocked before. We're going to have a trillion-dollar budget.”
Trump held up the Midshipmen football team as a symbol of a revival he wants for the military, grounded in discipline, toughness, and pride.
“There’s a lot of spirit right now in the country that we didn’t have six months ago,” Trump said.
Trump was flanked by top military leaders, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Adm. James Kilby, acting chief of naval operations; Naval Academy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk, and Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, superintendent of the Naval Academy.
He joked with the team about his own missed football opportunity. “I wish I could have joined you, but I was never too much into it anyway,” Trump joked. “I should have done it. I could have been president someday.”
Trump and the crowd laughed loudly.
Head Coach Brian Newberry expressed pride in his players and in what they represent.
“We’re proudly representing the United States Naval Academy, the entire brigade of midshipmen, and all the men and women serving in our Navy and Marine Corps—past and present,” he said.
He also recognized the seniors on the team: “In a little over a month, these 23 seniors, these incredible young men standing behind me, will graduate and commission as officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps under your command, Mr. President. They will do so with tremendous character and the core values of duty, honor, courage, and commitment.”
After the ceremony, team co-captains Ramos and Fofana presented Trump with a Naval Academy keepsake football, a gesture of thanks for the celebration and recognition.
Bridget Erin Craig is a graduate student at Northwestern Medill in the Politics, Policy and Foreign Affairs specialization. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Miami in Political Science, Criminology and Sustainable Development.
Matthew Shea is a congressional reporter for Medill News Service, focused on National Security and Foreign Affairs. He is also a graduate journalism student at Northwestern University‘s Medill School. Before Medill, Matthew graduated with a B.A. in journalism from the University of Maryland.
Premiere of HBO Original Series "The White Lotus" Season 3 at Paramount Theatre on February 10, 2025, in Los Angeles, California.
As HBO's The White Lotus nears its season three finale, Mike White's dark exploration of the human condition through privilege and class has not only continued to seep into our cultural conversations but has increasingly woven itself into our political ones. The series, which has always been inherently political, made it more overt this season through the friendship of three women with clashing political views (played by Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb)—that culminated in a now-infamous dinner scene that captured the current political malaise defining so many of our American interactions today.
For an entertainment industry long viewed as American culture's most progressive stronghold, this show exists at a time when the Trump administration is censoring museums and muzzling news organizations, all coinciding with a swell of conservative voices gaining more visibility within the broader culture. Take NBC's Saturday Night Live, which, this March, invited country singer Morgan Wallen to perform for a secondtime, years after a video surfaced of him using a racial slur outside his Nashville home in 2021.
This new reality has created a sense of unease across progressive news and entertainment circles. Politics are already reshaping cultural and media institutions, and they are now closing in on movies and television. The idea of a sitting president pressuring Hollywood studio heads over which stories get told and which don't is no longer a wild exaggeration but a real possibility.
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With the FCC recently investigating Disney's DE&I practices and YouTube TV for potentially discriminating against faith-based channels, it is only natural to ask: Is Hollywood the next to cave?
The conservative shift is not just a perception. In December 2024, shortly after Trump's election victory, Pixar changed a transgender character to cisgender in an episode of its Disney+ family series, Win or Lose, a move that raised eyebrows about potential self-censorship within the industry.
Earlier this year, Amazon MGM Studios secured an exclusive partnership with Dallas Jenkins' 5&2 Studios, known for their Christian-themed productions. At the same time, it also owns the streaming rights to the old episodes of Donald Trump's The Apprentice.
Angel Studios, a faith-based entertainment company and producer of films such as Sound of Freedom, starring Jim Caviezel, has seen a surge in popularity this year. Its app has exceeded 45 million downloads worldwide, and its films occasionally outperform major studios at the box office.
But even as the markers of a conservative wave become more apparent, Black and Latino content continues to dominate the culture and attract investment dollars.
Just this year alone, Marvel reintroduced Captain America as a Black hero—a clear and symbolic statement from Disney on how it views American values.
Beyoncé won the Grammy for Album of the Year, ironically, for a country album, in a genre that doesn't recognize her contributions to it.
Netflix committed to more diverse storytelling by renewing Tyler Perry's Beauty in Black for a second season and pledging $1 billion to Spanish-language content in Mexico over the next four years.
Despite all the political pressure that Disney is under to abandon its DE&I practices, it announced Coco 2, the Mexican-inspired sequel to the Oscar-winning original, set for release in 2029. This comes as Latinos are on track to have their biggest year on the Hollywood screen.
The truth is that Hollywood, in its pursuit of commercial success, has always tried to appeal to both conservative and progressive audiences. From the traditional values seen in 1950s shows like Father Knows Best to the 1970s Archie Bunker from All in the Family and the groundbreaking shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Ellen, and Pose that followed, Hollywood's programming has always functioned as a mirror to America's evolving values.
However, audience behavior tells a more complicated story. According to a 2019 USC Hollywood Diversity Report, a survey of 3,000 Americans found that, despite political differences, shows like Criminal Minds, MythBusters, and America's Funniest Home Videos were popular among Americans regardless of political views.
Now, as Hollywood feels the financial and political pressures at home and increasingly relies on global streaming revenue, studios are eyeing the political center. They know that people in Middle America and around the world still watch television and go to the movies. The real challenge is making content that doesn't alienate either side.
In the near future, Hollywood probably won’t be flooded with a “red wave” of TV shows or movies. Instead, we’ll likely see more shows that steer clear of heavy political messages so studios can connect with American and international viewers.
Maybe that's what makes the politics of The White Lotus dinner scene with Monaghan, Coon, and Bibb feel so memorable and significant. In a moment when both audiences and studios feel the pressure to choose sides, The White Lotus reminds us that even in a divided country, Hollywood still knows how to bring us together.Jack Ricois an entertainment journalist, TV host, and media pundit with over two decades of experience covering Latinos in media and entertainment. Recently featured on ABC News' primetime special "Latinos in Hollywood" and co-host "Brown & Black" on CUNY TV, a limited television adaptation of our Webby-nominated podcast.
Ben Folds performs on stage with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at Perth Concert Hall on January 28, 2021 in Perth, Australia.
In February, Ben Folds resigned as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, shortly after President Donald Trump took charge of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” Folds wrote on Instagram on February 12. “Not for me.”
While Folds is not overtly political, he has used his music as a platform to encourage dialogue and understanding within his audience. He has the opportunity to do so in his recently announced 2025 concert tour, which includes the “Paper Airplane Request Tour,” where members of the audience can request songs by sending paper airplanes to the stage.
However, given Folds' more subtle approach to societal and political issues, it is unlikely that his upcoming tour will be focused on politics since Folds has not overtly done so in the past. His most recent album “What Matters Most,” released in June 2023, does touch on political and social themes but it isn’t his overall message. Instead, Folds chooses to explore themes of personal growth, human connection, and societal issues by blending humor, vulnerability, and poignant observations that encourage listeners to reflect on their own lives and the world around them.
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And maybe during these divisive times in America that is exactly what is needed…some reflection on our own lives and the world around us.
A perfect example of Folds’ style can be seen in "But Wait, There's More,” a song that critiques the state of Western civilization and the influence of internet disinformation. Similarly, "Kristine from the 7th Grade," reflects on reconnecting with a former classmate who has become a conspiracy theorist, blending humor with concern.
While Folds certainly is not political by nature, his songs do tell a story of contemporary life in America and perhaps that is what we all need at this time in our history. His song, "The Ascent of Stan," reflects on generational shifts and the compromises of ideals, which can be interpreted by some as politically charged. While “Brick” tells a story of his high school girlfriend having to deal with an abortion, Folds has explicitly stated that the song is not a political statement but instead a song about the feelings surrounding that experience.
Regarding "Brick," Folds has explained that the song is a deeply personal narrative about a high school experience involving an abortion. He has said, "I didn't really want to write this song from any kind of political standpoint or make a statement. I just wanted to reflect what it feels like."
This highlights his intention to focus on the emotional weight of the experience, rather than any broader commentary on politics. Similarly, Folds’ hit "The Ascent of Stan” is a reflection on the irony of growing into the very things one might have rebelled against in their youth. The song critiques the transformation from idealistic rebellion to becoming part of the establishment, encapsulating themes of self-realization and societal change.
Historically, artists have often responded to societal tensions and political divides through their work, using creativity as a form of activism and commentary. If history is any judge of the future, as polarization continues to grow in our nation, more and more contemporary artists are likely to address the many contentious social and political issues that separate us as a nation.
Art has the power to provoke thought, inspire change, and bridge divides, making it a natural medium for engaging with political and social issues. The pop culture section of The Fulcrum will continue to explore the power of connecting the dots between pop culture and activating millions of Americans to create a functioning and healthy democracy.
In the words of the great jazz artist Wynton Marsalis, “Music heals people because music is vibration, and the proper vibration heals.” Music indeed brings people together and multiplies their energy.
David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
A microphone.
On March 12, French artists, DJs, and musicians united to fight the threat of the far-right government in France that they felt was a threat to democracy in their country.
More than 1,200 artists, DJs, and promoters from the French music industry came together to galvanize “the world of the night” into political action and to protest the possibility of the first far-right French government since the Second World War.
As well as performing, many of the artists gave voice to why they felt compelled to perform.
Lucas Langlais—founder of record label Unfair Music and a member of the Front Électronique (FE)—stated, “Our culture has remained silent for too long. We can no longer stand idly by without acting to defend who we are and the people we love.”
“The electronic scene has always been a refuge for diversity, whether it be sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or individual beliefs. We believe that music and dance are powerful means to resist intolerance and celebrate freedom of expression.”
The artists came together to ask fellow citizens to combat the “dangerous wave of racism and homophobia in response to the rise of the far-right in France.”
So, where are American artists today in America?
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Where is Luke Combs, who so eloquently performed “Love Can Build a Bridge” in 2023 at the Grammys?
Given the divided times we live in and the heated rhetoric in American politics, an inclusive and healing message is needed now more than ever. The lyrics that Luke Combs sang should be heeded by all Americans and all politicians today:
Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time?
Don't you think it's time?
I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me
And where is Taylor Swift today? In the fall of 2024, she stepped into the fray, endorsing Kamala Harris for President, and announced she would be voting for Harris because she believes “we can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos.”
There is a long history in America of artists stepping forward when the principles of our nation are challenged, but where are the artists, songwriters, and performers in America today?
They are strangely silent.
If today’s stars come together like they did in France last week, they can build a movement for Democracy; A movement that is not Democrat or Republican but one that dismisses old definitions of right and left and instead focuses on values, and blossoms into an optimistic vision for the future of America. As “We Are the World” did in the 1980s, today's artists can inspire citizens to become active participants in healing and change.
Imagine the passion and positive impact that celebrities could inspire in this time of social media and internet-driven divisiveness. Imagine the power of music and celebrities coming together, demonstrating unity for democracy.
I urge artists from across the political spectrum—right, left, and center—and across all genres, representing the diversity of music and people in America, to raise their voices for democracy.
This is not about being a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. It is about using the power of music to speak to the principles of Democracy—a democracy that builds on the pluralistic values that define our nation.
Music, theater, poetry, and all forms of pop culture have amazing healing and connecting powers. We know that when we join people together, their energy for good can be amplified to help power change. Music, in particular, can play an important role in celebrating what unites us—rather than dividing us—and in activating millions of Americans in a movement.
Our pop culture stars can make a difference. And now is the time to do so.
David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
