politics
December 26, 2025
Kennedy Center jazz performance canceled due to renaming fight
An annual Christmas Eve jazz tradition at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was abruptly called off after the venue’s board moved last week to add President Donald Trump’s name to the building.
TL;DR
- An annual Christmas Eve jazz tradition at the Kennedy Center was canceled.
- The cancellation occurred after the venue's board voted to add President Donald Trump's name, renaming it the "Trump-Kennedy Center."
- Musician Chuck Redd, who organized the event since 2006, cited the name change as the reason for cancellation.
- Members of the Kennedy family objected to the move, stating it eroded John F. Kennedy's legacy.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty filed a lawsuit challenging the board's authority to alter the center's name, citing federal law.
- Performers, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, withdrew from appearances after Trump returned to the White House.
Continue reading the original article