The annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center was canceled following the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the once-venerable Washington, D.C. venue.
For over 20 years, the Kennedy Center has hosted the Christmas Eve Jazz Jam on Dec. 24. However, musician Chuck Redd — who has led the event since 2006 — opted to cancel this year’s concert following the controversial (and possibly illegal) decision to add Trump branding to the facade of the venue.
“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd told the Associated Press.
On the (Trump) Kennedy Center website, the listing for the free Christmas Eve Jazz Jam concert said “(Canceled)” without explanation. “Join in our annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam for an evening of music that’ll fill you with holiday cheer,” the event promised.
Following Trump’s self-appointment as Kennedy Center chairman, at least 26 performances have been canceled, including 15 by the scheduled acts themselves. Issa Rae cancelled her Feb. 14 show, citing “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.” On Feb. 13, Low Cut Connie, the Philadelphia rock and soul band fronted by Adam Weiner, cancelled their March 19 concert.
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jefferey Seller were supposed to bring Hamilton to the Kennedy Center in 2026, but cancelled the run, saying, “The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We’re just not going to be part of it.” A concert by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington was also canceled.
In March, Guster protested the changes at the Kennedy Center — which included the cancelation of performances of the LGBTQ+ musical Finn — by having that show’s cast appear onstage during their concert at the performing arts venue.
Meanwhile, the latest Kennedy Center Honors broadcast — featuring recipients Kiss, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, and more — reportedly drew its lowest ratings ever, drawing an estimated audience of 2.65 million viewers; last year, 4.1 million people tuned in.
“I don’t have much power, and I don’t run with the big dogs who do. I’m just a folk singer from Alabama, slinging songs for a living,” Lee wrote on social media. “Hell, my songs are really just my own diary set to music. They’re not polished or hit songs, but they’re my truth and nobody can take that from me. I’m proud of that.”
"I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of the Kennedy Center, some of the most successful people from all parts of the world, have just voted unanimously to rename the Kennedy Center to the Trump-Kennedy Center, because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building. Not only from the standpoint of its reconstruction, but also financially, and its reputation," stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. "Congratulations to President Donald J. Trump, and likewise, congratulations to President Kennedy, because this will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur."
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