Wed Sep 25 02:00:40 UTC 2024: ## The Ghost of John McCain: A Musical That’s All About Trump, Not McCain

The new Off Broadway musical “The Ghost of John McCain” takes a literal interpretation of the online phrase “living rent-free” by setting the late senator’s ghost trapped in the mind of Donald Trump, envisioned as a crumbling, gold-encrusted hotel.

While the title suggests a focus on John McCain, the musical actually centers on Trump, with predictable and scattershot jabs at his mental state, political views, and obsessions. The jokes, however, often fall flat, resorting to tired #resistance humor tropes and incoherence.

The play features a cast of caricatured political figures, including a horny Lindsey Graham, a raging Hillary Clinton, and a tweet-happy “Karen” who represents the anxieties of working-class Americans. However, these characters only serve to further reinforce the musical’s singular focus on Trump, which ultimately proves tiresome and repetitive.

The Ghost of John McCain aims to create a “joyous bipartisan coalition” of political meme figures, but its satirical approach fails to provide insightful commentary or engage in meaningful dialogue about current political issues. The musical ultimately feels like a missed opportunity, trapped in the confines of Trump’s mind and relying on stale jokes and predictable storylines.

Reviewers have criticized the show for its shallow satire and “gross cash grab,” questioning its target audience and artistic merit. Whether “The Ghost of John McCain” succeeds in its goal of offering a critical lens on Trump’s presidency remains debatable. It’s a play that’s ultimately more interested in making a quick buck off of Trump’s name than offering a thought-provoking examination of his legacy.

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