Christmas Eve Jazz Concert Canceled After Trump Name Added to Kennedy Center
The annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled following the board’s decision to add President Donald Trump‘s name to the iconic performing arts institution in Washington, D.C. The concert’s host, musician Chuck Redd, announced the cancellation just days after the name alteration became public.
Redd, who has been leading the holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006, stated, “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert.” The Kennedy Center’s website now lists the concert as canceled, reflecting the growing controversy surrounding the decision.
Board’s Controversial Decision Sparks Backlash
On December 18, 2025, the Kennedy Center board voted unanimously to rename the institution as the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” igniting immediate backlash from prominent members of the Kennedy family. Maria Shriver, niece of former President John F. Kennedy, expressed her disapproval, calling the decision “beyond comprehension.” The addition of Trump’s name was completed just days later when workers installed new signage on the building.
Another niece, Kerry Kennedy, pledged to work towards removing Trump’s name once he leaves office. The Kennedy Center was designated as a living memorial to John F. Kennedy by a bill signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964. This legislation prohibits the board from transforming the center into a memorial for anyone else or placing another person’s name on the building’s exterior, according to reports from the Associated Press.
Artists Withdraw Amid Controversy
Since Trump’s return to office on January 20, 2025, several artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center. Notably, Lin-Manuel Miranda recently withdrew a production of “Hamilton” in response to the board’s decision. Redd, who has performed with various musicians, including jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, is among those expressing discontent over the situation.
As the controversy continues, the Kennedy Center remains a focal point of debate regarding artistic freedom and the influence of political figures in cultural institutions. The cancellation of the Christmas Eve concert highlights the deep divisions surrounding Trump’s ongoing presence in American public life.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kennedy Center for further comment, while Redd has also been contacted for his perspective on the recent developments. The unfolding situation at the Kennedy Center underscores the intersection of politics and the arts, a theme that resonates strongly in current American discourse.
