Ten years before he was flaming everybody in sight on Twitter and scorched-earthing his way to the presidency, Donald Trump was on stage at the Beacon Theater in NYC introducing Bob Weir to the crowd. Weir is a founding member of the quintessential jam band The Grateful Dead, known for their peace & love vibe, their fondness for drugs, their signature American music, and their never-ending touring. But the Donald Trump of 2006 wasn’t so miscast entertaining old Deadheads — back then Trump was still giving money to Democrats, too, even one named Hillary Clinton.
Perhaps it’s a hopeful tale for doubters about Trump’s ability to adjust. First he threatened the crowd with the idea that he, Trump, would be replacing Weir at the concert that night. Then he let the Deadheads know that, no, Weir was ready. Want more evidence Trump may not be an ideological menace who just set fire to traditional American politics? A New Yorker article about Trump’s appearance quoted him as saying he might not be able to make the concert. Why? Trump had “to go to Al Sharpton’s event” that night too.
You can hear Trump introduce Weir and his post-Dead band Ratdog here.
