Artists Distancing from Kennedy Center Following Trump Name Change

Mon Jan 05 2026 12:24:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The fallout continues at the Kennedy Center as notable artists cancel their appearances in response to the venue's recent name change to include former President Donald Trump. Stephen Schwartz, composer of 'Wicked', leads a wave of artists reconsidering their ties with the center over its perceived shift in political alignment.

After the Kennedy Center's controversial decision to rename itself to include Donald Trump, multiple artists, including Stephen Schwartz, have withdrawn from scheduled performances. Schwartz criticized the center for becoming an ideological institution, sparking debate about artistic expression in politicized spaces.

The composer of the musical Wicked, Stephen Schwartz, has announced that he will not perform at the Kennedy Center due to its board's decision to include US President Donald Trump's name in the title of the venue. Schwartz expressed in a statement that performing there 'has now become an ideological statement' and indicated he cannot support this change.

Richard Grenell, the center's president, countered Schwartz's claims by asserting he was never actually booked for an event, labeling reports about Schwartz's withdrawal as totally bogus.

This controversy follows several artist cancellations at the Kennedy Center after changes to its name, reflecting a growing concern about how politics could influence artistic expression and space for creativity. Recent cancellations also include two performances by the jazz band The Cookers and a dance ensemble, Doug Varone and Dancers, who cited the institutional shift as their reason for pulling out.

Schwartz's concerns resonate with many in the arts community, as the Kennedy Center was founded to represent a neutral ground for artists from diverse backgrounds. As the renaming of the center drew criticism from lawmakers and members of JFK's family, the dialogues about free expression in artistic venues continue to unfold.

Grenell characterized artists’ withdrawals as derangement syndrome, underscoring the rising tensions in cultural entities where artistic endeavors and political identities intertwine.