All the artists cancelling shows at Kennedy Center after Trump name change

Several artists have cancelled performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts following the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the venue earlier in December.

On Monday, December 29 The Cookers, a jazz septet announced that it would no longer be a part of the New Year's shows. According to a Fox News report, they withdrew from two New Year's Eve shows at the Terrace Theatre citing the name change. They shared the announcement on their official website and wrote:

“With deep regret, we must share that we are unable to perform as planned on New Year’s Eve. We know this news is disappointing, and we are truly sorry to everyone who made plans, traveled, and invested their time and resources to be with us.”

Additionally, Chuck Redd, Kristy Lee, Doug Varone and Dancers are other artists who have withdrawn from their shows scheduled to be held at the Kennedy Center. Earlier, Issa Rae, Hamilton producers, Ben Folds, and Renee Fleming stepped back from advisory roles.

Continue to read for more details.

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Why did artists cancel shows at Kennedy Center?

Artists have canceled shows at the Kennedy Center in protest of the venue's renaming to the “Trump-Kennedy Center” in December.

A BBC report stated that the White House revealed the center's board unanimously approved renaming the venue to The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

On December 18, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the news. She wrote:

“I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center... have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.”

Consequently, a wave of performers pulled out of the scheduled shows in protest, citing the renaming and displaying concerns over the institution's politicization.

The Cookers did not give a reason for their cancellation but wrote in their official statement:

“Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice.”

But the band’s drummer, Billy Hart told The New York Times that the Kennedy Centre’s renaming to include President Trump’s name had “evidently” influenced the band’s decision to cancel their two scheduled New Year’s Eve performances.

Jazz musician Chuck Redd, who had been hosting a Christmas Eve jazz concert for nearly two decades, called off his performance. The centre's president, Richard Grenell, called it a “political stunt” in his letter addressed to Redd, demanding $1million for the damages. He described his no-show as “classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution.”

The letter added:

“Your dismal ticket sales and lack of donor support, combined with your last-minute cancellation has cost us considerably. This is your official notice that we will seek $1m in damages from you for this political stunt.”

Folk singer Kristy Lee announced earlier that she has canceled her scheduled performance at the Washington, D.C., arts institution scheduled for January. She wrote in a social media post:

“I believe in the power of truth, and I believe in the power of people. And I’m gonna stand on that side forever. I won’t lie to you, canceling shows hurts. This is how I keep the lights on. But losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck.”

Doug Varone and Dancers, a dance group based in New York, wrote in an Instagram post that they are pulling out of their performance scheduled to be held in April next year at the Eisenhower Theater. Their performances were set to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary. They wrote:

“…with the latest act of Donald J. Trump renaming the Center after himself, we can no longer permit ourselves nor ask our audiences to step inside this once great institution. The Kennedy Center was named in honor of our 35th President who fervently believed that the arts were the beating heart of our nation, as well as an integral part of international diplomacy.”

Reflecting on the cancellations on X Grenell, described the canceling artists as “far-left political activists” booked by the “previous far left leadership.” He wrote:

"The artists who are now canceling shows were booked by the previous far left leadership. Their actions prove that the previous team was more concerned about booking far left political activists rather than artists willing to perform for everyone regardless of their political beliefs. Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome. The arts are for everyone and the left is mad about it."

Grenell is a close ally and senior appointee to Trump. He has previously served several high-profile roles such as U.S. Ambassador to Germany and Special Presidential Envoy for Serbia and Kosovo Peace Negotiations.