Photo Credit: Santeri
The newly renamed Trump Kennedy Center has sparked a wave of backlash from artists who have canceled their scheduled performances. The Trump-renamed facility has seen several performances cancelled—but at least one bluegrass artist says he aims to connect with people.
The Cookers withdrew from their slated ‘A Jazz New Year’s Eve’ performance tonight, stating the decision was made quickly and acknowledged frustrations from those who may have planned to attend. Doug Varone and Dancers, a New York dance group, also pulled out of their performance slated for April.
These pullouts have resulted in a volatile calendar for one of the most beloved art institutions in Washington D.C. According to the White House, Trump’s handpicked board approved the renaming, with only Trump picked officials allowed to vote.
The bylaws were revised (possibly a breach of the Kennedy Center charter) in May and specified that board members appointed by Congress, known as ex-officio members—could not vote or count towards a quorum. This new rule was in force when the board voted on December 18 to include Trump’s name on the living memorial building. The full title is now the “Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”
Despite multiple cancellations and a threat of a $1 million lawsuit from President Richard Grenell, some artists aren’t pulling out. Bluegrass banjoist Randy Barrett is scheduled to perform at the Kennedy Center next month and told the Associated Press that he is “deeply troubled by the politicization” of the venue. He says he respects those who felt the need to cancel, but he won’t because “our tribalized country needs more music and art, not less. It’s one of the few things that can bring us together.”
The name change has been a controversial one. Aside from artists pulling out of performing at the Kennedy Center, a wave of protests have sprung up outside of the iconic venue. Meanwhile, Joyce Beatty (D-OH) is suing to reverse it on the grounds that a name change for the venue would require an act of Congress.
Trump assumed the role of chairman of the board in February 2025 and quickly set about purging sitting members and installing Richard Grenell as president. The center currently lists 34 presidentially appointed board members and 23 ex-officio members.
