Performers cancel concerts at Kennedy center after Trump renaming

Several prominent artists and performers have canceled their shows at Washington's Kennedy Center in protest of its recent renaming to the Trump-Kennedy Center. This decision has sparked outrage from family members of the late President John F. Kennedy, as well as Democratic politicians. The renaming, which prominently features the name of former President Donald Trump, has led to backlash, especially from the arts community.

Jazz ensemble The Cookers, which was scheduled to perform on New Year’s Eve, expressed regret over canceling the show. In a statement, they emphasized that jazz, which originated from struggles and a fight for freedom of expression, was not aligned with the recent name change. While they did not explicitly cite the renaming as the sole reason for their withdrawal, the band's drummer, Billy Hart, confirmed to The New York Times that the change was a significant factor in their decision.

Along with The Cookers, Doug Varone and Dancers, a respected New York-based dance company, also canceled a performance scheduled for April 2026. They publicly declared on Instagram that the center’s name change under Trump’s leadership rendered it impossible for them to perform there, calling the renaming an assault on the institution's legacy.

Richard Grenell, the Trump-appointed president of the Kennedy Center, responded by denouncing the artists for their decisions to boycott the venue. He dismissed their actions, claiming that the performers were booked under the previous, more liberal leadership and accused them of displaying "derangement syndrome" for boycotting an arts institution.

This controversy has been part of a broader trend during Trump’s presidency, where cultural institutions, particularly those perceived as liberal, have faced political tensions. Since Trump’s second term, he has influenced the Kennedy Center’s management, replacing its board with loyalists and cutting events such as drag shows and LGBTQ+ celebrations. Reports indicate a drop in ticket sales as the institution's programming has shifted in favor of more conservative values, further deepening the divide.