Artists Are Threatening to Cancel Over Trump’s Kennedy Center Renaming

At least one musician is planning to cancel their upcoming performance at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts after the center’s board added President Donald Trump’s name to its own.

A spokesperson for musician Kristy Lee, who is scheduled to perform Jan. 14 on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, told NOTUS that “we are in the process of canceling her scheduled performance.”

Other performers also expressed disdain and frustration about the name change. The Kennedy Center’s website now refers to the facility as “The Trump Kennedy Center,” and on Friday, workers affixed the words, “The Donald J. Trump and,” above the existing “The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Performing Arts” on the center’s exterior.

“I feel really badly for performers, not just for performers but for the people who work there,” said one person scheduled to perform at the center who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. “Kennedy Center is supposed to be a memorial, focusing on being nonpartisan. A place where people, it doesn’t matter what party they believe in, should be performing and experiencing the arts together regardless of what their party is. And it has not become that.”

The performer continued: “It’s no longer a focus on the arts, and it’s very sad. And I know a lot of the people that I perform with are very sad.”

Another artist who still plans to keep their Kennedy Center performance date told NOTUS: “Reality show personality and con artist aren’t the type of artist the center showcases.” The artist also said they “don’t associate the arts, or this building, with Trump.”

One musician scheduled to take the stage at the Kennedy Center told NOTUS that they plan on honoring their upcoming show date. But they added that Trump’s name would create a “stain” on the Kennedy Center — and that they wouldn’t schedule future shows.

“Hamilton could afford to pull out,” the musician said. “It’s easy to stand on your principles when you have money in the bank. And also, if we canceled now because of this, how vindictive would they be if whatever MAGA guy gets wind of this?”

“And I guess the real debate up till now is what you boycott it and help ensure it goes down the tubes,” the musician added. “Or do you do the concerts and keep the audiences that love going to the Kennedy Center. And make sure there’s something there after this guy leaves. And it could be restored from however he trashes it.”

The White House and the Kennedy Center did not respond to NOTUS’ questions regarding the name change and whether it could create issues retaining performers. The National Symphony Orchestra, a mainstay at the Kennedy Center, also did not respond to NOTUS’ questions.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the name change reflected “the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building”.

The White House on Thursday announced the board’s vote on the name, marking the latest in a string of upheaval for the center.

Trump was elected as chair of the center’s board after terminating several of its members. He ousted Deborah Rutter, who was president of the center, in February. Other staff members lost their jobs, too, being terminated later. And WorldPride events that were scheduled to be held at the center over the summer were seemingly canceled or relocated.

Since Trump’s changes at the center, ticket sales have fallen sharply. Despite the name change, other performers are still looking forward to their shows.

Many Democrats expressed opposition to the change. Rep. Joyce Beatty, an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center board, posted on social media that her microphone was “muted” when she tried to vote against the name change.

And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and several other Democrats issued a statement saying that changing the center’s name would require “congressional action.” Some legal experts have deemed the name change illegal.

“The center is the nation’s cultural center and it is for everybody,” Rola Z, an independent show producer and comedian who’s previously performed at the Kennedy Center, told NOTUS in a statement. “As a comedian and show producer, my calling is to bring laughter to the community. Through bespoke shows, I strive to bring audacious perspectives and to showcase unique talent. Artists thrive in times of controversy and we have a commitment to speak up when others shy away.”