By Blessing Nweke
More musicians have canceled upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center following a controversial decision by its board to rename the iconic performing arts venue to include President Donald Trump’s name, escalating a growing cultural and political backlash.
Canceled performances include concerts previously scheduled for Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Jan. 14. Among the latest artists to withdraw are The Cookers, a veteran jazz ensemble slated to perform Wednesday night, and folk singer Kristy Lee, who had been booked for Jan. 14.
The Cookers did not explicitly cite the name change in their announcement but alluded to broader principles. “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice,” the group said in a statement. “Our hope is that this moment will leave space for reflection, not resentment.” Drummer Billy Hart later told The New York Times that the renaming “evidently” played a role in the decision.
Lee, announcing her cancellation on Instagram, said withdrawing from the show was a matter of principle. “Canceling shows hurts, but losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck,” she wrote. In a separate statement on her website, Lee cited concerns about the center’s “institutional integrity,” arguing that publicly funded cultural spaces must remain free from “political capture, self-promotion, or ideological pressure.” She said she would instead perform a live show from her home.
The Kennedy Center’s board voted earlier this month to change the institution’s name, and Trump’s name was added to the building’s facade the following day. The move drew criticism from lawmakers and members of the Kennedy family, who argue the center was established by Congress to memorialize President John F. Kennedy and cannot be renamed without congressional approval.
Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, an ex officio board member, sued the Trump administration last week, calling the renaming a “flagrant violation of the rule of law.”
The controversy follows earlier cancellations, including jazz musician Chuck Redd, who ended his nearly 20-year tradition of performing a Christmas Eve concert at the center. Since Trump assumed greater control of the institution — replacing board members, appointing himself chair and altering programming, including removing Pride events — multiple artists, including “Hamilton” and Issa Rae, have withdrawn appearances.
The Kennedy Center and the artists involved did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday night.
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