The Kennedy Center was recently renamed after President Donald Trump—but artists are not having it.
Several artists are reconsidering and even canceling their upcoming performances at the venue after Trump’s name was added to its official title.
At least one musician has begun canceling an upcoming show, while others say they feel conflicted about continuing to appear at the historic institution.
Highlights
- President Trump renamed the Kennedy Center to include his own name, sparking artist cancellations and backlash.
- Several performers are canceling or reconsidering shows, citing the rename as political and undermining the center's nonpartisan mission.
- The Kennedy Center board's unanimous vote is disputed; some trustees say the decision was censored and not properly approved.
Artists have begun canceling and reconsidering their performances at the Kennedy Center, which was renamed after Trump
Image credits: Heather Diehl/Getty Images
The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted this month to rename the venue, “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” Workers began changing the building’s signage on December 19 in Washington, D.C.
The White House announced the decision last week, calling the vote unanimous.
According to reporting by NOTUS, singer Kristy Lee, who was scheduled to perform on January 14 on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, is in the process of canceling her appearance. A spokesperson for Lee confirmed that plans are underway to withdraw from the show.
Other artists told NOTUS they are struggling with the decision of whether to perform at the venue following the change. One performer, who spoke anonymously out of concern for professional consequences, said the name change undermines the center’s nonpartisan role.
Image credits: kristyleemusic/Instagram
“I feel really badly for performers, not just for performers but for the people who work there,” the artist said. “Kennedy Center is supposed to be a memorial, focusing on being nonpartisan. A place where people, it doesn’t matter what party they believe in, should be performing and experiencing the arts together regardless of what their party is. And it has not become that.”
They continued, “It’s no longer a focus on the arts, and it’s very sad. And I know a lot of the people that I perform with are very sad.”
Another artist said they still plan to perform but described the renaming as a “stain” on the institution.
“Hamilton could afford to pull out,” the musician said, adding they will not schedule future shows at the venue. “It’s easy to stand on your principles when you have money in the bank. And also, if we canceled now because of this, how vindictive would they be if whatever MAGA guy gets wind of this?”
Image credits: Taylor Hill/Getty Images
“And I guess the real debate up till now is what you boycott it and help ensure it goes down the tubes,” the musician added.
“Or do you do the concerts and keep the audiences that love going to the Kennedy Center. And make sure there’s something there after this guy leaves. And it could be restored from however he trashes it.”
The name change follows broader leadership changes at the Kennedy Center. Earlier this year, Trump was elected chair of the board after several trustees were removed.
Longtime Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter was ousted in February, and the board now includes several current officials from the Trump administration.
Members on the board include White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Second Lady Usha Vance, Deputy White House Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, and Allison Lutnick, the wife of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The Trump administration claimed the name was changed based on a ‘unanimous’ vote from the board
Many Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have argued that changing the Kennedy Center’s name requires congressional approval because the original name was set by federal law in 1964.
Ray Smock, a former House historian, told The Associated Press, “The Kennedy Center was named by law. To change the name would require a revision of that 1964 law. The Kennedy Center board is not a lawmaking entity. Congress makes laws.”
Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, posted on social media that her microphone was “muted” when she tried to vote against the name change, disputing claims that the vote was “unanimous.”
Image credits: Tom Williams/Getty Images
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the name change reflected “the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.”
According to data obtained by The Washington Post, subscription sales at the venue dropped 36% compared to last year, translating to a $1.6 million decline.
Earlier in June, several performers reportedly refused to appear during the opening night of Les Misérables, when Trump and the first lady attended.