"When President Donald Trump was named chairman of the Kennedy Center's board almost a year ago, in February 2025, backlash from ticket buyers, slated performers, and certain board members including Shonda Rhimes was swift. One of the first performers to cancel was a touring production of the musical Hamilton. In a statement on X in March 2025, producer Jeffrey Seller said he opposed the Trump administration's ousting of many Democratic board members."
"Grenell wrote on X, "You just made it political and caved to the woke mob who wants you to perform for only Lefties." "This mob pressuring you will never be happy until you only play for Democrats. The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome Democrats and Republicans and people uninterested in politics. We want performers who aren't political who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for.""
President Donald Trump was named chairman of the Kennedy Center's board in February 2025, prompting swift backlash from ticket buyers, slated performers, and some board members including Shonda Rhimes. Early cancellations included a touring production of Hamilton; producer Jeffrey Seller publicly opposed the ousting of Democratic board members. Actress and writer Issa Rae canceled a sold-out performance, and numerous other artists and companies followed after Trump-appointed board members voted to rename the center "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." Congress has not authorized the name change. Executive director Richard Grenell condemned cancellations on social media, and banjo player Bela Fleck cited politicization when canceling.
Read at www.npr.org
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