NEW YORK (AP) — A beloved Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled. Musician Chuck Redd, who has been hosting this event for years, decided to call it off after the White House announced that President Trump’s name would be added to the center.
The building now reads The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. According to the White House, this decision came from Trump’s board, but many scholars argue it’s against the law. Trump had hinted at a name change for quite some time.
Redd expressed his disappointment in an email, stating, “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert.” He has been a significant figure in the jazz scene, performing alongside notable musicians since taking over the holiday “Jazz Jams” in 2006.
The Kennedy Center responded with no immediate comments, but their website confirms the cancellation.
In 1964, Congress designated the center as a living memorial to President Kennedy after his tragic assassination in 1963. Kerry Kennedy, the late president’s niece, plans to push for the removal of Trump’s name once he leaves office. Former House historian Ray Smock noted that any name change would require congressional approval. The law itself restricts the board from turning the center into a memorial for anyone else or adding another name to the building’s exterior.
Historically, Trump had largely stayed out of Kennedy Center affairs, but now has reshaped its leadership and even hosted the Kennedy Center Honors—a break from tradition for sitting presidents. His actions at the center echo a broader mission to confront “woke” culture in federal institutions.
Since Trump’s return to office, several artists have opted out of performing at the Kennedy Center. This includes well-known names like Issa Rae and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who opted against a planned production of “Hamilton.” This reflects a growing sentiment among artists regarding the changing atmosphere at the center.
For more details on the center and its history, you can check the Kennedy Center website.
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