Hamilton cancels Kennedy Center performances amid Trump shakeup
The Broadway sensation “Hamilton” has canceled its planned performances at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., next year.
Fox – 5 DC
Producers of “Hamilton,” the hugely popular musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, have canceled a planned 2026 engagement at the Kennedy Center, citing the “recent purge” by the Trump administration of the center’s leadership.
In a statement from producer Jeffrey Seller released on Wednesday afternoon, the Lin-Manuel Miranda-penned musical announced that a third engagement of the show’s national tour, set for March 3 to April 26, 2026, would be canceled.
Among the shows recently canceled by the Kennedy Center are the children’s musical “Finn” and an appearance by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington. Both will appear as part of a Stars in the House fundraiser in New York City on March 17.
“The recent purge by the Trump Administration of both professional staff and performing arts events at or originally produced by the Kennedy Center flies in the face of everything this national cultural center represents,” Seller’s statement reads.
“The spirit of nonpartisanship ended on February 7, 2025, with the firing of Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter, the Chairman of the Board David Rubenstein, and numerous other Kennedy Center board members, as well as the cancellation of important programming.”
The Kennedy Center leadership shakeup
President Donald Trump announced last month a massive overhaul at the Kennedy Center that included the termination of multiple board of trustees members, including Chairman David Rubenstein. And Trump named Rubenstein’s replacement: himself.
The reason for the changes, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post last month, was the center’s decision to host drag show performances at its venue.
“THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote.
“The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation,” he continued. “For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
Kennedy Center under President Donald Trump as chairman
President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center as its chaiman after firing several board members.
In his statement, Seller said the show “cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy center,” while adding that “Hamilton” was performed at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office.
“We are not acting against his administration, but against the partisan policies of the Kennedy Center as a result of his recent takeover,” Seller’s statement reads.
The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a USA TODAY request for comment.
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New Kennedy Center leadership hits back at ‘Hamilton’ producers
Richard Grenell, the interim president of the Kennedy Center, hit back at Seller and Miranda on social media Wednesday.
“Seller and @Lin_Manuel first went to the New York Times before they came to the Kennedy Center with their announcement that they can’t be in the same room with Republicans,” Grenell said on X. “This is a publicity stunt that will backfire.”
“The Arts are for everyone – not just for the people who Lin likes and agrees with,” Grenell’s statement continued. “The American people need to know that @Lin_Manuel is intolerant of people who don’t agree with him politically. It’s clear he and Sellers don’t want Republicans going to their shows.”
“Americans see you, Lin,” Grenell’s statement concluded.
Contributing: Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].
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