By Charles Switzer
12:48pm PST, Mar 6, 2025
Hamilton Cancels Kennedy Center Run Over Trump's Takeover
The producers of the mega-popular musical
Hamilton announced the cancellation of the acclaimed show's highly anticipated spring 2026 run at the Kennedy Center, citing concerns over the politicization of the performing arts center under President
Donald Trump. Jeff Seller, the show's lead producer, declared that "the spirit of nonpartisanship ended on February 7," when Trump removed former Kennedy Center president
Deborah Rutter and appointed himself chairman, replacing billionaire donor
David Rubenstein. The decision follows a wave of artist withdrawals from the center, including rock band Low Cut Connie and singer
Rhiannon Giddens.Here's what happened…
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Backlash Over Kennedy Center Leadership Changes
The fallout saw Trump also remove Democratic members from the bipartisan board, replacing them with loyalists and further fueling concerns over the center's neutrality.
Seller emphasized that
Hamilton's decision was not about Trump's administration itself but about safeguarding the production from potential political interference. "We cannot presently support an institution that has been forced by external forces to betray its mission," he wrote.
The cancellation highlights growing
tensions between the arts community and Trump's reshaping of cultural institutions and was followed by a wave of stars distancing themselves from the prestigious center.
Here's who decided to boycott the Kennedy Center in the wake of the president's takeover…
Lin-Manuel Miranda
In a joint interview,
Hamilton creator
Lin-Manuel Miranda echoed Seller's concerns, stating, "We're not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center."
Issa Rae
In February,
Issa Rae, the creator and star of
Insecure, shared on her Instagram Story that she was canceling her sold-out
An Evening with Issa Rae event. Explained the Emmy nominee, "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."
Whoopi Goldberg
On the Wednesday, March 5, episode of The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg shared her thoughts on the Kennedy Center: "I understand why they did it, and I have no plans to go back to the Kennedy Center until the Kennedy Center becomes what it was supposed to be. And that was a welcome place for all artists, no matter what your groove is," she said. "You know, they did not make judgments about the people they put in there."
Shonda Rhimes
TV titan Shonda Rhimes, who previously served as treasurer of the Kennedy Center, stepped down from the board in February following Trump's leadership transition at the arts institution.
A spokesperson for the writer-producer confirmed the news at the time, stating, "Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center."
Rhimes was originally appointed to the board by former President
Barack Obama and had been serving as one of its officers.
Renee Fleming
Renowned soprano Renee Fleming also resigned from the Center when the president named himself as chairman.
"It has been a privilege to serve as an Artistic Advisor at Large to the The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," she shared on
Facebook. "David Rubenstein's leadership as Chairman is just one of the many ways he has contributed to America's cultural and historic heritage. He is the greatest patriot I know."
