Key Takeaways
- The annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was canceled in protest of the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building.
- The addition of Trump’s name appears to be in violation of a 1964 law that prohibits the addition of names or memorials to anyone other than John F. Kennedy.
- Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) has filed a lawsuit seeking to declare the name change null and void and restore the original name of the institution.
- The jazz concert cancellation is the latest in a series of setbacks for the Kennedy Center, including the suspension of a 60-year partnership with the American College Theatre Festival and the cancellation of appearances by several high-profile artists.
Introduction to the Controversy
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a renowned cultural institution in Washington, D.C., has been at the center of a controversy surrounding the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building. The move has sparked widespread criticism, with many arguing that it is a violation of a 1964 law that prohibits the addition of names or memorials to anyone other than John F. Kennedy. The controversy has led to the cancellation of the annual Christmas Eve jazz concert, which has been a staple of the Kennedy Center’s programming for over two decades.
The Cancellation of the Jazz Concert
The jazz concert, which was scheduled to feature performances by seven jazz musicians, was canceled by its host, Chuck Redd, in protest of the name change. Redd, a jazz drummer and vibraphonist, has hosted the concert since 2006 and was deeply disturbed by the addition of Trump’s name to the building. "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. The cancellation is a significant blow to the Kennedy Center, which has long been a hub for jazz and other musical performances.
The Legal Challenge
The addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center has also sparked a legal challenge. Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-OH) has filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., seeking a declaration that the name change is null and void. The lawsuit argues that the name change is a violation of the 1964 law and that Congress must approve any changes to the institution’s name. "Because Congress named the center by statute, changing the Kennedy Center’s name requires an act of Congress," Beatty’s lawsuit stated. "But on December 18 and 19, 2025—in scenes more reminiscent of authoritarian regimes than the American republic—the sitting President and his handpicked loyalists renamed this storied center after President Trump."
The Kennedy Center’s Response
The Kennedy Center has defended the name change, with spokeswoman Roma Daravi arguing that the board has the authority to make such changes. Daravi pointed to the precedent of the State Department adding Trump’s name to the Institute of Peace and the renaming of military bases as examples of similar name changes. However, the renaming of the military bases was authorized by an act of Congress in 2021, which is not the case with the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center has not commented on the jazz concert cancellation, and its official website merely confirms that the concert was canceled.
The Broader Implications
The controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center is not limited to the jazz concert cancellation. The American College Theatre Festival has suspended its 60-year partnership with the institution, citing "circumstances and decisions that do not align with our organization’s values." Several high-profile artists, including Issa Rae, Peter Wolf, and the cast of Hamilton, have also canceled their appearances at the Kennedy Center. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the role of politics in the arts and the importance of preserving the integrity of cultural institutions.
Conclusion
The cancellation of the Christmas Eve jazz concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a significant development in the controversy surrounding the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building. The move has sparked widespread criticism and has led to a legal challenge and the cancellation of several high-profile events. As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Kennedy Center will navigate this challenging situation and whether the institution will be able to restore its reputation as a hub for the arts. One thing is certain, however: the controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center is a reminder of the importance of preserving the integrity of cultural institutions and the need for transparency and accountability in decision-making.
