The nephew of John Kander, one half of the Kander and Ebb songwriting duo behind the iconic “Theme from New York, New York,” has responded to Kari Lake’s remarks on the song at a Donald Trump campaign rally in Arizona. Lake, a Trump-endorsed election denier and the GOP nominee for a U.S. Senate seat in the state, mentioned spending her birthday with the former president in New York City and referenced using “that famous golden escalator” and “golden elevator” to get to the 26th floor of Trump Tower. She then connected the experience to Frank Sinatra’s cover of the song, suggesting that Trump Tower was what Sinatra sang about in “New York, New York.”
Former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, who is the nephew of the song’s co-writer, took to social media to set the record straight for Lake. Kander pointed out that Trump Tower was not in existence at the time the song was written and released, suggesting that his uncle was not thinking about the building when he wrote the song. He also mentioned that his uncle supports Kari Lake’s Democratic opponent in the Arizona Senate race, Ruben Gallego. By issuing this response, Kander aimed to correct Lake’s inaccurate interpretation of the song’s lyrics and meaning.
Lake’s comments at the Trump rally in Arizona drew criticism not only for her inaccurate association of Trump Tower with the iconic song, but also for her overall alignment with the former president and his baseless claims of election fraud. As a vocal Trump supporter and election denier, Lake’s remarks have fueled further division and misinformation within the political landscape. By using the song “Theme from New York, New York” to praise Trump and his properties, Lake showcased a lack of understanding of the song’s intended meaning and historical context.
Kander’s response to Lake’s remarks not only highlighted the inaccuracy of her interpretation but also emphasized the importance of respecting the original intentions behind artistic works such as songs. By reminding Lake that the song was not written with Trump Tower in mind, Kander sought to educate her and others on the song’s true inspiration and significance. Additionally, his mention of his uncle’s support for Lake’s opponent in the Senate race served as a political statement against Lake and her alignment with Trump and his policies.
Overall, the exchange between Kander and Lake sheds light on the intersection of politics and culture, as well as the importance of accurate interpretation and understanding of artistic works. By correcting Lake’s misinterpretation of “Theme from New York, New York,” Kander demonstrated the impact of misinformation and the need for clarity in public discourse. Additionally, the response underscored the role of artists in preserving the integrity and meaning of their creations, even in the face of misappropriation or misrepresentation by political figures.
