> At a Glance
> – Grammy-winning banjoist Béla Fleck nixed three National Symphony Orchestra dates
> – President Trump‘s name now shares the venue’s marquee
> – Multiple artists have pulled shows since the Dec. 19 renaming
> – Why it matters: The dispute turns America’s flagship arts center into the newest political battleground
Grammy-winning banjo player Béla Fleck has yanked his February concerts at the Kennedy Center, the latest act protesting the venue’s rechristening as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Fleck’s Decision
Fleck said the atmosphere has become “charged and political,” adding he hopes to rejoin the NSO “when we can together share and celebrate art.”
Center president Richard Grenell fired back on X, claiming Fleck “caved to the woke mob.”
Wave of Cancellations
Since the name change, artists have withdrawn scheduled appearances:
- Chuck Redd – canceled Christmas Eve concert (18-year tradition)
- The Cookers – exited New Year’s Eve slot
- Kristy Lee and Doug Varone and Dancers – scrapped 2025 dates
- Stephen Schwartz – stepped down from May gala
Legal Challenge
The Kennedy family calls the renaming illegitimate, noting federal law designates the center a “living memorial” to JFK. A court case is pending.
| Funding Claimed | Amount |
|---|---|
| Private/corporate donations raised | $131 million |
| Congressional infrastructure grant | $257 million |
| Deferred maintenance price tag | $250 million |
Center officials insist the cancellations have not “impacted at all” bookings.
Key Takeaways
- Béla Fleck joins a growing list of performers boycotting the venue
- The board’s Dec. 19 vote added Trump‘s name to the building’s façade
- Trump himself chairs the board after dismissing previous members last February
- Legal action argues only Congress can alter the center’s memorial status
