At a Glance
- Musicians cancel shows at Kennedy Center after board names it after President Trump.
- The Cookers, Kristy Lee, and Chuck Redd all pulled performances scheduled for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and January 14.
- The move follows a board vote that added Trump’s name to the building’s façade, sparking criticism from lawmakers and the Kennedy family.
- Why it matters: The cancellations spotlight how political actions can ripple through the arts community and raise questions about institutional independence.
The Kennedy Center has become the center of a cultural controversy after its board voted to rename the performing-arts venue to include President Donald Trump‘s name. In the wake of that decision, several musicians have pulled their scheduled concerts, citing concerns over the center’s integrity.
Musicians Pull Their Shows
The Cookers, a jazz band set to perform Wednesday night, announced their cancellation without naming a specific reason but hinted at politics in their statement. Kristy Lee, scheduled for January 14, said losing her integrity would cost her more than any paycheck. Chuck Redd, who has led the center’s annual Christmas Eve event for nearly two decades, also called off his concert.
The musicians’ statements reflect a broader unease that the center’s new name and Trump’s influence may compromise artistic freedom.
- The Cookers – canceled Wednesday night (originally scheduled for January 14)
- Kristy Lee – canceled January 14
- Chuck Redd – canceled Christmas Eve
The Cookers’ drummer, Billy Hart, told News Of Philadelphia that the name change evidently played a role in their decision to cancel their concert.
Billy Hart told News Of Philadelphia:
> “The name change evidently played a role in our decision to cancel our concert.”
Chuck Redd told News Of Philadelphia that he was canceling the concert as a result of the name change.
Chuck Redd told News Of Philadelphia:
> “I am canceling the concert as a result of the name change.”
Board Decision and Political Fallout
The board’s vote to rename the institution and the subsequent affixing of Trump’s name to the façade prompted criticism from lawmakers and members of the Kennedy family, who argue the center was created by Congress to honor President John F. Kennedy and cannot be renamed without congressional approval. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, sued the Trump administration last week for the renaming, calling it a “flagrant violation of the rule of law.”
The center’s president, Richard Grenell, threatened to sue Redd for $1 million, calling his decision a “political stunt.” Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said that artists canceling their shows over political differences are “selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people.”
Roma Daravi said:
> “Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn’t courageous or principled-they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people.”
Trump has taken steps to assert more control over the center, including replacing the board with a handpicked set of members who named him chair, removing Pride events, and changing programming.
| Action | Party | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Board vote to rename | Kennedy Center board | This month |
| Trump name affixed | Trump administration | Next day |
| Redd threatened lawsuit | Richard Grenell | After cancellation |
| Beatty lawsuit | Rep. Joyce Beatty | Last week |
Multiple shows and performers have since canceled events at the center, including the musical Hamilton and Issa Rae, highlighting the growing tension between the institution’s leadership and the arts community.
Key Takeaways
- The Kennedy Center‘s renaming to include Trump has triggered a wave of cancellations by musicians.
- Artists cite concerns over institutional integrity and political capture.
- The move has led to legal threats, lawsuits, and criticism from lawmakers and the Kennedy family.
As the controversy unfolds, the future of the Kennedy Center‘s programming and its role as a neutral arts venue remain uncertain.
