1. Why are musicians canceling their performances at the Kennedy Center?
Multiple artists have canceled performances following the recent renaming of the venue to “The Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” While some artists haven’t explicitly stated the name change as their reason, several have made clear their opposition to the Trump administration’s takeover of the center and what they view as partisan policies that contradict the institution’s mission as a national cultural center.
2. Which artists have withdrawn from scheduled performances?
The Cookers, a jazz band, canceled two New Year’s Eve shows on Wednesday, joining several other acts who have pulled out. Jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled his Christmas Eve concert, folk musician Kristy Lee rescinded her Jan. 14 show and New York’s Doug Varone and Dancers canceled an April performance. The hit musical “Hamilton” had already canceled its March-April 2026 run back in March, shortly after Mr. Trump’s takeover of the center.
3. How are the canceling artists explaining their decisions?
The Cookers said in a statement that “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom” and expressed hope their decision would “leave space for reflection, not resentment.” Kristy Lee wrote on Instagram that “losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck,” while “Hamilton” producer Jeffrey Seller stated they were acting “against the partisan policies of the Kennedy Center as a result of his recent takeover,” not against the Trump administration itself.
SEE ALSO: The show won’t go on: Jazz band joins cancellations at Trump-Kennedy Center over name change
4. How has Kennedy Center leadership responded to the cancellations?
Richard Grenell, the center’s president, criticized the canceling artists on X, calling their actions “a form of derangement syndrome” and arguing that “boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts” is contradictory. He claimed the previous leadership was “more concerned about booking far left political activists rather than artists willing to perform for everyone regardless of their political beliefs” and emphasized that “the arts are for everyone.”
5. How did Mr. Trump come to control the Kennedy Center, and why was it renamed?
Mr. Trump took control of the center this year by firing the board and appointing new members, who then elected him as chairman. The new board voted unanimously last week to add Mr. Trump’s name to the building, with a spokeswoman stating the decision “recognizes that the current chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.” Mr. Trump told reporters the building “was in such bad shape, both physically, financially, and every other way” but is “now very solid, very strong.”
Read more: Jazz band joins cancellations at Trump-Kennedy Center over name change
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