Kennedy Center Says It “Wants Performers Who Aren’t Political” Amid Wave of Cancelations

As more artists pull out of scheduled Kennedy Center appearances in protest of Donald Trump’s takeover, the venue’s leadership has responded by saying they “want performers who aren’t political.”

“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, Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, said in a statement to Fox News Digital, responding to news of Béla Fleck’s cancellation earlier this week.

“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.

In announcing his decision to pull of a trio of scheduled appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Grammy-winning banjoist said performing at the Kennedy Center has “become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.”

Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell responded directly to Fleck on social media, quote-tweeting his original statement and writing, “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 uninterested in politics,” Grenell continued. “We want performers who aren’t political – who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for.”

As for the type of talent the new Kennedy Center leadership is apparently targeting? Ring-wing comedian and podcaster Adam Carolla is set to play two shows at the center later this month.

He headlines clubs, theaters, & casinos nationwide, & on Saturday, January 31, comedian, actor, radio personality, television host, & New York Times best-selling author @adamcarolla brings his all-new material to our Terrace Theater for TWO SHOWS ONLY⤵️https://t.co/RZsdiyjZy7 pic.twitter.com/EEAKeEaO4M

— The Trump Kennedy Center (@kencen) January 5, 2026