All the performers who canceled shows at Trump's Kennedy Center Anna Kaufman, USA TODAYJanuary 10, 2026 at 7:01 AM 4.8k A year into his second term, President Donald Trump is continuing his aggressive takeover of the newly named TrumpKennedy Center for the 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, Trump also installed Richard Grenell, his onetime envoy for special missions, as president of the center.
- - All the performers who canceled shows at Trump's Kennedy Center
Anna Kaufman, USA TODAYJanuary 10, 2026 at 7:01 AM
4.8k
A year into his second term, President Donald Trump is continuing his aggressive takeover of the newly named Trump-Kennedy Center for the 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, Trump also installed Richard Grenell, his onetime 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.
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/QBPt896 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/QBPt896 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/QplL7RU 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/QplL7RU 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/azBoyqL 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/azBoyqL 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/kYIoZSw 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/kYIoZSw 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/S5a39xM 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/S5a39xM 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/E9n18VM 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/E9n18VM 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/gdQMeEY 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/gdQMeEY 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/kD3Q9ft 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/kD3Q9ft 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."
Stephen Schwartz won't host Kennedy Center gala after Trump name change
Bela Fleck joins growing list of cancellations
Nashville banjoist Béla Fleck announced in January that he would skip a scheduled performance alongside the National Symphony Orchestra as it had "become charged and political," when "the focus should be on the music."
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 7, 2025.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/S6Aa3ru 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/S6Aa3ru 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/1c85mvj 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/1c85mvj 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/I2oARMX 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/I2oARMX 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/2cW0iUn 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/2cW0iUn class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/zmANsK9 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/zmANsK9 class=caas-img>Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/pDLn2IK 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/pDLn2IK class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/To9AwE5 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/To9AwE5 class=caas-img>Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/wuy5kGB 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/wuy5kGB 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/XWjAHGg 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/XWjAHGg class=caas-img>Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/DpAHIs0 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/DpAHIs0 class=caas-img>Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/jLouzfD 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/jLouzfD class=caas-img>First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2qWIdhc 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/2qWIdhc class=caas-img>Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/itypfUH 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/itypfUH 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/sMK2YmX 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/sMK2YmX class=caas-img>Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/XeLO4Mr 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/XeLO4Mr class=caas-img>Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/LicAr4N 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/LicAr4N 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/lkog7VD 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/lkog7VD class=caas-img>Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/WZT4w3j 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/WZT4w3j class=caas-img>Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/r3FZaYH 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/r3FZaYH 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/crUEOto 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/crUEOto class=caas-img>Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/Fp6PW2l 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/Fp6PW2l class=caas-img>Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/52jCB14 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/52jCB14 class=caas-img>Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/houpw0O 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/houpw0O class=caas-img>Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/eNdCLpW 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/eNdCLpW 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
Fleck joined a growing class of performers who have refused to participate in events.
Other artists who have canceled or withdrawn include:
Issa Rae
Kristy Lee
Wayne Tucker
Brentano Quartet with Hsin-Yun Huang
Magpie
Doug Varone and Dancers
Maria João Pires with Marc-André Hamelin
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 Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S., 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."
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, 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 11, 2026 at 06:09AM on Source: RED MAG
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