A wave of artists is canceling scheduled performances at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, US, following a decision to add former president Donald Trump's name to the iconic venue. The cancellations have left many performance slots empty and sparked debate over the center's integrity and political neutrality.

The Cookers, a jazz band, canceled their New Year's Eve performance at the Trump-Kennedy Center on 30/12. While no explicit reason was given, the group's statement suggested political motivations. "Jazz emerged from struggle and an unending desire for freedom: freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and the freedom to fully voice the human spirit. Some of us have been involved with this music for decades, and that history continues to shape us today," the statement read. "We hope this moment opens a space for reflection, rather than resentment."

Workers add Trump's name to the facade of the Kennedy Center on 19/12. Photo: AP

The Cookers' decision extends a growing list of artists withdrawing from performances at the center. The White House announced on 18/12 that the Kennedy Center board had unanimously voted to rename the venue the Trump-Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center, built in 1964 and opened in 1971, describes on its website how John F. Kennedy "dedicated his life to supporting and patronizing the arts." The center's board members are typically equally divided between the Republican and Democratic parties. In February, President Donald Trump fired the Democratic members appointed by former president Joe Biden and replaced them with his own nominees.

Kristy Lee, an artist scheduled to perform at the center on 14/1/2026, announced the cancellation of her show on Instagram. She admitted it was a painful decision but stated that "losing integrity costs more than any fee." Lee wrote: "When American history is treated as something that can be banned, erased, renamed, or rebranded to serve someone's ego, I cannot comfortably stand on that stage." She announced she would hold an online show at home instead of at the Trump-Kennedy Center.

In a separate statement on her personal website, Lee said the decision to cancel stemmed from concerns about the center's "sanctity." She emphasized that publicly funded facilities should steer clear of political elements or being used for "personal promotion." The statement read: "This decision is not directed at the center's dedicated staff, artists, or audience, who deserve respect. This is a statement to protect the facility's original founding purpose and the shared ethical responsibility of artists who have graced this stage." Lee's representative, Tauna Pierce, confirmed the artist's withdrawal was a direct response to the center's renaming.

Singer Kristy Lee, who decided to cancel her show at the Kennedy Center. Photo: YouTube/Kristy Lee Videos

The dance group Doug Varone and Dancers also announced earlier this week the cancellation of their performances on 24-25/4/2026, citing the center's renaming as the reason. The group wrote on Instagram: "When Donald Trump attached his name to the center, we could no longer allow ourselves, or ask our audience, to enter a space that no longer retains its inherent values."

Acting Chairman of the Trump-Kennedy Center Richard Grenell, also Trump's envoy, posted a statement on social media on the evening of 29/12. He claimed that the artists who canceled shows had signed contracts with the "previous radical leftist leadership." He said the cancellations proved that the former leadership "prioritized inviting extreme left-wing political activists over artists willing to perform for all audiences, regardless of political views." Grenell announced he would demand 1 million USD in damages from Redd, calling the artist's decision a "political stunt."

One of the artists who initiated the wave of cancellations at the Trump-Kennedy Center was Chuck Redd. Redd, a drummer and vibraphonist, had continuously led the Jazz Jams concert during the Christmas holidays at the Kennedy Center since 2006. Immediately after the center was renamed, he decided to withdraw from the concert. On 30/12, Trump shared three articles on Truth Social about his name being affixed to the Kennedy Center, but did not mention the artists' decision to cancel shows.

Duc Trung (According to NBC News, ABC News, AP)