Artists Cancel Kennedy Center Shows Over Trump Name Change

Several performing artists are withdrawing from scheduled appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., citing the venue's recent name change.

The Kennedy Center added Donald J. Trump's name earlier this month after the president announced plans to rename the performing arts venue. The decision has prompted a wave of cancellations from booked artists.

Jazz group The Cookers pulled out of two New Year's Eve performances, issuing a statement saying they play music that "reaches across divisions rather than deepening them." Choreographer Doug Varone and Dancers and performer Kristy Lee have also announced they're canceling upcoming shows, explicitly pointing to the name change as the reason.

Kennedy Center President Mark Rowan dismissed the cancellations, saying the artists had been booked by what he called the venue's "previous far left leadership."

The Kennedy Center, which opened in 1971, serves as the nation's primary performing arts center and hosts hundreds of events annually across theater, dance, music, and opera.