> At a Glance
> – Grammy-winning banjoist Béla Fleck has canceled three concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra scheduled for next month
> – The move follows the venue’s renaming to include President Trump’s name, sparking a wave of artist cancellations
> – Kennedy Center leadership claims the cancellations have no impact, citing major fundraising successes
> – Why it matters: The controversy highlights growing tension between politics and the arts at America’s premier cultural institution
Béla Fleck has become the latest artist to withdraw from the Kennedy Center, intensifying the backlash over the venue’s controversial renaming that now includes President Trump alongside John F. Kennedy.
The Cancellation
Fleck had been set to perform three concerts with the National Symphony Orchestra next month. In a statement posted Monday on X, he explained his decision:
> Béla Fleck stated:
> “I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.”
> “I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art.”
Leadership Response
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell fired back at Fleck’s decision:
> Richard Grenell responded:
> “You just made it political and caved to the woke mob who wants you to perform for only Lefties.”
> “The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome – Democrats and Republicans and people uninterested in politics. We want performers who aren’t political – who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for.”
The Renaming Timeline
The controversy began when Trump took control of the institution’s board last February, installing himself as chair. The renaming process unfolded quickly:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 2024 | Trump fires board members, becomes chair |
| December 19, 2024 | Board votes to add Trump’s name |
| December 20, 2024 | Trump’s name added to building signage |
Wave of Cancellations
Fleck joins a growing list of artists who have pulled their performances:
- Chuck Redd – Canceled Christmas Eve concert (hosted since 2006)
- The Cookers – Canceled New Year’s Eve appearance
- Kristy Lee – Folk singer canceled 2025 performance
- Doug Varone and Dancers – Canceled scheduled shows
- Stephen Schwartz – Backed out of hosting May gala
Legal Challenges
The renaming faces court challenges because federal law established the center as a “living memorial” to President Kennedy. Members of the Kennedy family argue the change is illegitimate:
> Former Rep. Joseph Kennedy III stated:
> “The Kennedy Center is a living memorial to a fallen president and named for President Kennedy by federal law. It can no sooner be renamed than can someone rename the Lincoln Memorial, no matter what anyone says.”
Financial Claims
Despite the cancellations, Kennedy Center officials maintain the institution remains strong:
> Roma Daravi, Kennedy Center VP of PR stated:
> “The president has raised over $131 million in private and corporate donations and had Congress give $257 million for critical infrastructure needs, all to SAVE this institution.”
She noted there was over $250 million in deferred maintenance repairs immediately needed.
Key Takeaways
- Béla Fleck’s cancellation adds momentum to artist protests against the Trump name addition
- Legal challenges argue the renaming violates federal law establishing the center as a Kennedy memorial
- Kennedy Center leadership insists the institution is financially stronger than ever despite artist withdrawals
- The controversy represents a broader cultural divide over politics in the arts
The standoff between artists and the Kennedy Center leadership shows no signs of abating as more performers choose to withdraw rather than appear at the newly renamed venue.
