Washington, D.C. — A new wave of artist cancellations has hit the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump’s name was added to the iconic arts venue, intensifying a cultural dispute over politics and public institutions.
Jazz supergroup The Cookers announced they would no longer perform at a planned New Year’s Eve concert, joining a growing list of artists who have withdrawn since Trump reshaped the Kennedy Center’s leadership earlier this year. The group cited a desire to perform in spaces where music can be experienced without political divisions overshadowing the art, though their statement stopped short of explicitly naming Trump or the renaming decision.
The latest cancellations follow earlier high-profile departures, including performer Issa Rae and the producers of “Hamilton,” after Trump removed the existing board, appointed himself chairman, and installed loyal allies in key leadership roles. Music figures Ben Folds and Renée Fleming also stepped down from advisory positions in protest.
One Cookers member, saxophonist Billy Harper, later addressed the issue directly, saying he would not perform in a venue bearing a name and governance structure he believes represents racism and harm to African American culture. The White House has said Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming.
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell dismissed the cancellations as political, arguing that artists unwilling to perform for audiences with differing views undermine the institution’s mission. He also suggested the center may pursue legal remedies in some cases.
Not all performers agree. Some artists scheduled to appear have said that music should remain a unifying force, even amid controversy. Legal scholars note that federal law designates the Kennedy Center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, raising questions about whether renaming the building requires congressional approval.
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