Staff Reports
The latest trend in the world of theater seems to be a mass exodus of performers from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This is no ordinary case of theatrical drama; it’s a full-blown tantrum launched by the liberal elites of the entertainment industry, fueled by President Trump’s decision to shake things up at the center. After announcing his intention to can the center’s leadership and appoint himself as chairman, it’s as if the arts community collectively threw a hissy fit.
Leading the parade of cancellations are heavyweights like Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds, who jumped ship faster than a rat from a sinking vessel. It’s almost as if they had a personal vendetta against the very idea of conservative leadership in the arts. The impact of these cancellations appears to be universally felt, with reports suggesting ticket sales have plummeted by a staggering 50 percent since the president’s announcement. Apparently, a little dose of common sense and fiscal responsibility doesn’t sit well with the woke crowd.
Not to be outdone, racebaiting commentator W. Kamau Bell gave his show a begrudging go but then declared he would never again grace the Kennedy Center’s stage under Trump’s regime. Meanwhile, other liberal luminaries—including comedian Issa Rae and novelist Louise Penny—have decided to cancel their performances completely, proving once and for all that for some, artistic integrity means refusing to work under any circumstances that challenge their political beliefs.
The American people won't forget. You will never live it down. DJT will be in the history books for his great presidency and you guys won't even be a footnote.—->More Artists and Celebrities Canceling Shows at Kennedy Center to Protest Trump https://t.co/MrDoK07bCc via…
— Marian Clough (@marian_clough) February 24, 2025
Adding to the drama, the Kennedy Center recently announced the cancellation of a gay pride concert featuring the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. This decision sent the left into a tailspin of outrage and prompted a band of protesters to march in front of the center, waving signs and chanting for the arts community’s “right” to protest against the evils of Trump. Apparently, the arts community has a big problem with accountability—unless, of course, it’s accountability for someone else’s actions.
While all this unfolds, the financial state of the Kennedy Center appears to be more tragic than its performances. The newly appointed interim president, Richard Grenell, discovered that the center’s coffers were emptier than a politician’s promises after an election. With reports of zero cash on hand and a mountain of deferred maintenance, it seems the “premier performing arts center” has been living in a fantasy land while letting its finances go unchecked. Grenell’s assertions that it’s time to fix this “great institution” highlight the need for a wake-up call, not just for the Kennedy Center, but for all arts organizations that have fallen prey to leftist ideology. It’s time for Hollywood’s elite to remember that the real art of performance comes with a price—and if they can’t afford to play, perhaps they shouldn’t be throwing tantrums in the first place.
