Another performer has bailed on scheduled shows at the Kennedy Center, claiming the venue has become more “charged and political” with changes made by President Donald Trump.
Banjo player Béla Fleck canceled three of his upcoming performances and took to social media to gripe about the changes and how he looked forward to a time when he can “celebrate art” in future performances.
“I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music,” Fleck, the winner of more than a dozen Grammy Awards, wrote in a post on X about canceling the upcoming shows with the National Symphony Orchestra.
I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center. Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.
I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together… pic.twitter.com/dnzoAZzzAF
— Béla Fleck (@belafleckbanjo) January 6, 2026
“I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art,” he added, becoming another in a growing list of so-called artists who would rather stick it to audiences than have anything to do with the national cultural center.
The historic venue underwent renovations and other changes last year, with the board voting in December to rename it “The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” prompting leftist tantrums.
Fleck’s announcement earned him a scathing rebuke from Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, who responded on X, “You just made it political and caved to the woke mob who wants you to perform for only Lefties.”
“This mob pressuring you will never be happy until you only play for Democrats,” he added. “The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome — Democrats and Republicans and people uninterested in politics. We want performers who aren’t political — who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for.”
You just made it political and caved to the woke mob who wants you to perform for only Lefties.
This mob pressuring you will never be happy until you only play for Democrats.
The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome – Democrats and Republicans and people… https://t.co/vA3WLwFU03
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 7, 2026
Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that “Artists canceling their shows at the Trump Kennedy Center made a political choice to tie themselves to a hateful, politically driven media campaign, and they were rewarded with headlines.”
“These partisan performers are the megaphone minority. There are many artists who would love to perform, and they won’t discriminate or exclude patrons of different backgrounds and beliefs,” Daravi added.
Fleck’s grandstanding announcement earned him endless backlash online, including from radio host and columnist Mark Davis.
“From a longtime fan: YOU politicize the venue with this tantrum of depriving attendees and workers of your talents,” he wrote. “Better to appear, as your contract requires, and make your gripe clear from the stage if you wish.”
Your performance there wasn’t political, it’s a venue like any other and you signed a contract to play it… Your decision to withdraw from playing there, now THAT’S charged and political and speaks volumes about you
— Enguerrand VII de Coucy (@ingelramdecoucy) January 7, 2026
You’re the only one who made it political.
You could have easily performed and nobody would have thought about politics, but you apparently prefer to make such things political.— Leftism (@LeftismForU) January 7, 2026
Literally, nobody knows who TF you are. pic.twitter.com/BDhl4gqUG5
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) January 7, 2026
What better way to eliminate the politics and redirect the focus to music than to announce on X you’re withdrawing from a booking due to your personal political ideology. Can’t imagine how performing there “has become charged and political.”
— Jason Beale (@jabeale) January 7, 2026
You have allowed yourself to become part of that political theater you speak against. Shows how easily manipulated you are. Whoever the hell you are.
— Sadie (@Sadie_NC) January 7, 2026
Coward
— The CocaÃna (@MrNukemCocaine) January 7, 2026
You could play there and not make it political. But there we are 🤷🏻♀️
— annamerica ✳️ (@annamerica_nft) January 7, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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