A year into his second term, PresidentDonald Trumpis continuinghis aggressive takeoverof the newly namedTrump-Kennedy Center for the Arts.
Beyond adding his own name tothe storied performance institution, formerly known as the Kennedy Center and named after 35th President John F. Kennedy, Trump also installedRichard 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 beenmet with resistanceby some in the art world, who have decried the president's rapid changes andwithheld their own performancesas a form of protest. Here's a look at the musicians and creatives who have canceled shows at the Trump-Kennedy Center.
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."" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Workers begin adjusting the name of the "John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts" on December 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> John 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 decisionto rename the facility "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Centerfor the Performing Arts."
Stephen Schwartz won't hostKennedy Center gala after Trump name change
Bela Fleck joins growing list of cancellations
Nashville banjoist Béla Fleckannounced 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. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
(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. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Gaynor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors at The Kennedy Center on Dec. 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Paul Stanley and his wife Erin Sutton arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Sylvester Stallone and his family arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Gene Simmons, Peter Criss and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Michael Crawford attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree George Strait attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Kennedy Center honoree Gene Simmons and his wife Shannon Tweed arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sylvester Stallone and his wife Jennifer Flavin arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors gala. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley of KISS attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
First Lady Melania Trump attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actor Neal McDonough and Ruve McDonough attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Shannon Tweed, Gene Simmons, Gigi Criss, Peter Criss, Erin Sutton and Paul Stanley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frank Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Sylvester Stallone attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
With a bandage on his hand, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Dr. Mehmet Oz attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Blessing Offor attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick and his partner, journalist Jacqui Heinrich, attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Mike Farris attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Michael Boulos and Tiffany Trump attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Paul Stanley of KISS attends the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Singer Chris Blue and wife Stephanie Dunkley attend the 48th Kennedy Center Honors." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See 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 membersfrom a performance of "Les Misérables" also boycotted an event.
Issa Rae also canceled a sold-out show at the venue.
"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" composerStephen Schwartzalsoannounced in Januarythat he had canceled plans to host a gala at the historic institution. The musical theater composer and lyricist toldNewsdayhe was invited last February to participate in the Washington National Opera's 2026 gala at theTrump-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
