From Capitol Carnage to Entertainment: The Disturbing Commodification of January 6

July 14, 2025

The article examines how the January 6, 2021 Capitol insurrection has spawned a diverse cultural industry including documentaries, books, and interactive experiences. It specifically highlights "Fight for America! " - a provocative London theater production where audiences can participate in recreating the insurrection, choosing sides and even voting whether to "hang" Vice President Pence.

Who is affected

Audiences attending the interactive shows and consuming January 6-related media
Creators and producers of these works, including Christopher McElroen and Neal Wilkinson
The broader American public grappling with how to process the insurrection
London theatergoers participating in the "Fight for America!" experience
Critics and reviewers assessing these cultural products

What action is being taken

"Fight for America!" is currently being performed in London's West End
Creators of January 6-themed content are producing various works across different mediums
Audiences in London are participating in the interactive recreation of the insurrection
London critic Mary Beer is reviewing and recommending the immersive theatrical experience
Producers are planning to bring "Fight for America!" to Washington D.C. in January 2026

Why it matters

The proliferation of January 6-themed entertainment raises questions about how society should process an attempted coup
These cultural products blur the line between memorializing a civic tragedy and trivializing it
The audience's enthusiasm for violence, even in play, reflects concerning social dynamics
The relocation of "Fight for America!" from the U.S. to London demonstrates the political sensitivity of the content
These works function as both entertainment and potential tools for reflection on polarization and mob mentality

What's next

A Washington, D.C. run of "Fight for America!" is planned for January 2026 to mark the fifth anniversary of the attack

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer