All the performers who canceled shows at Trump's Kennedy Center Anna Kaufman and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY January 28, 2026 at 2:58 AM 0 Renowned artists and performers continue to distance themselves from the revamped TrumpKennedy Center for the Arts following President Donald Trump's sweeping takeover of the iconic venue. Grammy and Oscarnominated composer Philip Glass revealed he was canceling the world premiere of his upcoming Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," at the center in a social media post Tuesday, Jan. 27, citing a "conflict" of political values.
- - All the performers who canceled shows at Trump's Kennedy Center
Anna Kaufman and Edward Segarra, USA TODAY January 28, 2026 at 2:58 AM
0
Renowned artists and performers continue to distance themselves from the revamped Trump-Kennedy Center for the Arts following President Donald Trump's sweeping takeover of the iconic venue.
Grammy and Oscar-nominated composer Philip Glass revealed he was canceling the world premiere of his upcoming Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," at the center in a social media post Tuesday, Jan. 27, citing a "conflict" of political values.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations at the Trump-Kennedy Center, said "those calling for boycotts based on politics are making the wrong decision."
"We have not cancelled a single show," Daravi continued. "Leftist activists are pushing artists to cancel, but the public wants artists to perform and create —not cancel under pressure from political insiders that benefit from creating division."
to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted in what they say was a unanimous decision to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/nEilQwB class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted in what they say was a unanimous decision to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted in what they say was a unanimous decision to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
" src=https://ift.tt/nEilQwB class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CT5avb4 class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/CT5avb4 class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bTVXKiz class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/bTVXKiz class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pCRcuZM class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/pCRcuZM class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/fVuaysJ class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/fVuaysJ class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/c9U3W6b class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/c9U3W6b class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L9n6m4D class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/L9n6m4D class=caas-img>Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/VKCmIk5 class=caas-img data-headline="John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change" data-caption="
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
">Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC.
" src=https://ift.tt/VKCmIk5 class=caas-img>
1 / 8John F. Kennedy Memorial Center adds Trump to name. See the change
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees voted in what they say was a unanimous decision to rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
Beyond adding his own name to the storied performance institution, formerly known as the Kennedy Center and named after 35th President John F. Kennedy, President Trump also installed Richard Grenell, his one-time envoy for special missions, as president of the center. Trump had previously complained about "woke" programming and "drag shows" performed there.
The changes have been met with resistance by some in the art world, who have decried the president's rapid changes and withheld their own performances as a form of protest. Here's a look at the musicians and creatives who have canceled shows at the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Stephen Schwartz won't host Kennedy Center gala after Trump name change
Philip Glass joins growing list of cancellations
In a Jan. 27 statement shared on his official social media channels, Glass said he was withdrawing his "Lincoln" symphony from being performed at the Trump-Kennedy Center. The piece's world premiere was scheduled to take place on June 12 and 13, according to the Kennedy Center's official website.
"Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the symphony," Glass wrote. "Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership."
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/5D0VXRJ class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
">President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
" src=https://ift.tt/5D0VXRJ class=caas-img>(Back row, L-R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Amb. Richard Grenell and (front row, L-R) Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford pose for the honoree class photo at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Reception at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/L1NgZ4V class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
(Back row, L-R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Amb. Richard Grenell and (front row, L-R) Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford pose for the honoree class photo at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Reception at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
">(Back row, L-R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, Amb. Richard Grenell and (front row, L-R) Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford pose for the honoree class photo at the 48th Kennedy Center Honors Medallion Reception at the U.S. Department of State on Dec. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
" src=https://ift.tt/L1NgZ4V class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/C9jbVhm class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
">Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
" src=https://ift.tt/C9jbVhm class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Paul Stanley and his wife Erin Sutton arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bYsVkyx class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree Paul Stanley and his wife Erin Sutton arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
">Kennedy Center honoree Paul Stanley and his wife Erin Sutton arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/bYsVkyx class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/7fWzpd6 class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
">Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/7fWzpd6 class=caas-img>Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FZbtjX5 class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
">Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/FZbtjX5 class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YNBt0J2 class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/YNBt0J2 class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WBtnlsK class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/WBtnlsK class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BDOlSfJ class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Kennedy Center honoree Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
">Kennedy Center honoree Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/BDOlSfJ class=caas-img>Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/0HrazZO class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
">Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" src=https://ift.tt/0HrazZO class=caas-img>Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/OU0pstb class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/OU0pstb class=caas-img>First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Ocq0bAI class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/Ocq0bAI class=caas-img>Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/hF0Ekcf class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/hF0Ekcf class=caas-img>Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, Peter Criss, Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CbOBtnw class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, Peter Criss, Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, Peter Criss, Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/CbOBtnw class=caas-img>Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/CkRebhQ class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/CkRebhQ class=caas-img>Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/13zTiOg class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/13zTiOg class=caas-img>With a bandage on his hand, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/JArl5Cu class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
With a bandage on his hand, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
">With a bandage on his hand, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/JArl5Cu class=caas-img>Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/aN90iod class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/aN90iod class=caas-img>Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/q7RYcoh class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/q7RYcoh class=caas-img>U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and his partner, journalist Jacqui Heinrich, attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FdzS5m4 class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and his partner, journalist Jacqui Heinrich, attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and his partner, journalist Jacqui Heinrich, attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/FdzS5m4 class=caas-img>Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wDTWdo0 class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/wDTWdo0 class=caas-img>Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/xtgi70R class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/xtgi70R class=caas-img>Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/bHFTNDG class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/bHFTNDG class=caas-img>Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/FrTCwpi class=caas-img data-headline="See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump" data-caption="
Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
">Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" src=https://ift.tt/FrTCwpi class=caas-img>
1 / 24See moments from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors hosted by Trump
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
'Hamilton' bows out of Trump-Kennedy Center performances: Full list
Glass joins a growing class of performers who have refused to participate in events.
Other artists who have recently canceled performances, either in reaction to Trump's involvement with the center or for other reasons, include:
Renée Fleming
Washington National Opera
Vocal Arts DC
Seattle Children's Theatre
Sonia De Los Santos
Martha Graham Dance Company
Béla Fleck
Issa Rae
Kristy Lee
Wayne Tucker
Brentano Quartet with Hsin-Yun Huang
Magpie
Doug Varone and Dancers
Comedy show "Asian AF"
Touring production of "Hamilton"
Chuck Redd
The Cookers
Stephen Schwartz
Rhiannon Giddens
Balún
Cast members from a performance of "Les Misérables" also boycotted an event.
Issa Rae also canceled a sold-out show at the venue.
Issa Rae poses on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 10, 2024.
"Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I've decided to cancel my appearance at this venue," Rae wrote in an Instagram post at the time.
"Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz also announced in January that he had canceled plans to host a gala at the historic institution. The musical theater composer and lyricist told Newsday he was invited last February to participate in the Washington National Opera's 2026 gala at the Trump-Kennedy Center.
But "it no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be," Schwartz said in a statement to Newsday. "There's no way I would set foot in it now."
Marc-André Hamelin's recital with Maria João Pires was also canceled after Pires announced her retirement from performing because of health issues. The cancelation was not related to differences with the administration, Hamelin's representative said.
Shonda Rhimes steps down from board of trustees
Shonda Rhimes resigned from the center's board of trustees, while Ben Folds and Renée Fleming stepped down as artistic advisors.
Contributing: Savannah Kuchar, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, Joey Garrison and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY; Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's Kennedy Center cancellations – Everyone who's stopped shows
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: January 27, 2026 at 11:45PM on Source: MANUEL MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle
Post a Comment