At a Glance
- The Kennedy Center renamed after President Trump, sparking artist cancellations.
- The Cookers, Doug Varone & Dancers, and others withdrew performances.
- Ticket sales and viewership have fallen, with a 35% drop in Honors broadcast.
- Why it matters: Artists protest politicization of cultural institutions.
The Kennedy Center’s decision to rename the venue after President Donald Trump has ignited a wave of artist walkouts. Performers across genres have pulled shows, citing political motives behind the change.
Artist Walkouts
The first wave of cancellations began with The Cookers, a jazz supergroup that announced their withdrawal from “A Jazz New Year’s Eve” on their website. They noted the decision “has come together very quickly” and expressed frustration with disappointed fans.
- Doug Varone & Dancers posted on Instagram that they would pull out of an April performance, stating they “can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution.”
- Chuck Redd canceled a Christmas Eve show last week.
- Issa Rae and the producers of Hamilton had already cancelled scheduled engagements.
- Ben Folds and Renee Fleming stepped down from advisory roles.
Political Backdrop
Trump had previously ousted the Kennedy Center board and appointed himself chairman. The renaming was approved by a board hand-picked by the president. In the wake of these actions, several artists have voiced opposition.
Billy Harper said:
> “I would never even consider performing in a venue bearing a name (and being controlled by the kind of board) that represents overt racism and deliberate destruction of African American music and culture. The same music I devoted my life to creating and advancing.”
Richard Grenell said:
> “The artists who are now canceling shows were booked by the previous far left leadership.”
Grenell also announced that he would seek $1 million in damages for what he called a “political stunt.”
Randy Barrett said:
> “I am deeply troubled by the politicization of the venue and respect those who have canceled, but feels that our tribalized country needs more music and art, not less.”
Impact on Ticket Sales
Ticket sales for the venue have declined, and viewership for the December 23 broadcast of the Kennedy Center Honors fell by 35% compared to the 2024 show.
| Metric | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Honors broadcast viewership | 100% | 35% drop |
Key Takeaways
- The renaming of the Kennedy Center after President Trump has triggered widespread artist cancellations.
- Political disputes over leadership and board appointments are at the core of the backlash.
- Declining ticket sales and a significant drop in broadcast viewership underscore the controversy’s impact.
The controversy highlights how political decisions can ripple through the arts community, prompting performers to take a stand against institutional changes they view as divisive.
