NEW YORK, Dec 25 (V7N) — The annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center, a holiday tradition for more than 20 years, has been canceled after the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the performing arts facility.

The Kennedy Center’s planned Christmas Eve performance, hosted by musician Chuck Redd, was called off after the building’s facade was updated to read “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” The White House stated that the center’s board, selected by President Trump, approved the change, though scholars argue it violates federal law. Trump had suggested for months that he was open to renaming the center.

“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 via email. A drummer and vibraphone player, Redd has been hosting holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center since 2006, succeeding bassist William “Keter” Betts.

The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and its website lists the show as canceled.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts was established as a living memorial to President Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Congress passed a law in 1964 explicitly naming the facility in his honor. Kennedy’s niece, Kerry Kennedy, has vowed to remove Trump’s name once he leaves office. Legal experts, including former House historian Ray Smock, maintain that any changes to the memorial would require congressional approval. The law prohibits the board from naming the center after anyone other than Kennedy.

President Trump has been deeply involved with the center, which had largely been ignored during his first term. He replaced its leadership, overhauled the board, and positioned himself at the helm. This year, he personally hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, breaking the long-standing tradition of presidents serving as spectators. Critics say these moves are part of a broader effort to challenge “woke” culture at federal cultural institutions.

Several artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center since Trump returned to office, including Issa Rae and Peter Wolf. Lin-Manuel Miranda also canceled a planned production of “Hamilton” at the venue.

The canceled jazz concert marks the latest controversy at the historic performing arts center, which has faced legal, political, and artistic backlash over the sudden renaming.

News Source: AP

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