Béla Fleck, the master banjoist and 19-time Grammy laureate, has become the latest high-profile artist to withdraw from a scheduled appearance at the Kennedy Center. He pointed to the increasingly “charged and political” climate that has recently enveloped the historic Washington, D.C., cultural landmark.
Originally slated to collaborate with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) this February, Fleck joins a growing exodus of talent reacting to the institutional overhaul led by Donald Trump. His departure underscores a deepening rift between the arts community and the venue’s new leadership.
“I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center,” Fleck shared in a public statement. “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 share and celebrate art.”
I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center.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…
— Béla Fleck (@belafleckbanjo) January 6, 2026
The controversy follows a turbulent December for the institution, which saw the venue controversially rebranded as the “Trump-Kennedy Center.” This rebranding effort, accompanied by new signage, sparked immediate backlash, including artist boycotts and threats of litigation. Furthermore, the televised 2025 Kennedy Center Honors recently recorded some of its lowest viewership figures to date.
The legality of the name change remains a point of contention. Original statutes governing the creation of the center explicitly bar renaming the facility, suggesting that any permanent change would require a formal act of Congress—a hurdle the current board may still have to clear.
The governing body of the center has undergone a radical transformation. In early 2025, Trump dismissed existing members and appointed himself as chair. In a social media post, he declared his intention to “make the Kennedy Center GREAT AGAIN,” a move followed shortly by his handpicked board officially electing him to the leadership role.
Fleck’s personal politics stand in stark contrast to the current administration’s MAGA movement. A vocal supporter of progressive causes, the musician famously performed at campaign rallies for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2020 election cycle.
Fleck is far from alone in his protest. Over the past year, a diverse array of luminaries, including Rhiannon Giddens, Issa Rae, Renee Fleming, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds, have severed ties with the center. Major productions like Hamilton and the play Eureka Day also pulled their scheduled runs. In the jazz world, the supergroup The Cookers and musician Chuck Redd both scrapped holiday performances at the venue.
Despite the cancellation in D.C., Fleck’s broader 2026 itinerary remains intact. He is set to launch his international tour on January 31 at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, Scotland.
