In December 2025, a massive conflict erupted around the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" due to President Trump's attempt to add his name to the institution's title.
Loud Refusals by Artists
Numerous famous performers and artistic groups publicly refused to perform at the center. In particular, the jazz band "The Cookers" and the dance company "Doug Varone and Dancers" canceled their scheduled concerts.
Reasons for Protest
Musicians and artists consider the renaming a political act that violates the memorial status of the institution dedicated to President John F. Kennedy.
Authority's Reaction
The center's president, Richard Grenell, called the boycott a "form of mental disorder" and threatened a million-dollar lawsuit against artists canceling their performances.
The Kennedy family sharply criticized the name change, emphasizing that the center is a living memorial to the fallen president.
