Banjo player B\u00e9la Fleck cancels Kennedy Center performances, accusing venue of becoming \u00ab\u00a0charged and political\u00a0\u00bb following Trump administration changes.<\/b>
\nGrammy-winning banjo player B\u00e9la Fleck has canceled three upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center, accusing the venue of becoming \u00ab\u00a0charged and political\u00a0\u00bb following recent changes under the Trump administration.
Fleck, who has won more than a dozen Grammy Awards, announced the withdrawal on social media.
In a post on X, he wrote, \u00ab\u00a0I have withdrawn from my upcoming performance with the NSO at The Kennedy Center.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.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0I look forward to playing with the NSO another time in the future when we can together share and celebrate art\u00a0\u00bb, he added.
In December, the White House announced that President Donald Trump’s name would be added to the performing arts institution following a vote by its board. The decision has prompted several performers to cancel appearances, including Stephen Schwartz, the composer of Broadway musicals such as \u00ab\u00a0Wicked\u00a0\u00bb and \u00ab\u00a0Godspell.\u00a0\u00bb
The Kennedy Center\u2019s website listed Fleck\u2019s withdrawal as being due to \u00ab\u00a0personal issues\u00a0\u00bb and noted that the performances with the National Symphony Orchestra will still go forward.
\u00ab\u00a0Artists cancelling 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\u00a0\u00bb, Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center\u2019s vice president of public relations, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. \u00ab\u00a0These partisan performers are the megaphone minority. There are many artists who would love to perform and they won\u2019t discriminate or exclude patrons of different backgrounds and beliefs.\u00a0\u00bb
Fleck\u2019s decision also drew a response from Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell on Tuesday, who accused the acclaimed banjoist of caving to what he called the \u00ab\u00a0woke mob.\u00a0\u00bb
\u00ab\u00a0You 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\u00a0\u00bb, Grenell wrote in a repost of Fleck\u2019s statement.
\u00ab\u00a0The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome \u2014 Democrats and Republicans and people uninterested in politics. We want performers who aren\u2019t political \u2014 who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for\u00a0\u00bb, he added.
Grenell\u2019s response also drew additional reactions online. Political activist Raheem Kassam wrote that \u00ab\u00a0art is meaningless without bravery\u00a0\u00bb, calling Fleck a \u00ab\u00a0coward\u00a0\u00bb for his decision.
Radio host and columnist Mark Davis, who said he was a longtime fan of the musician, accused Fleck of politicizing the venue himself.
\u00ab\u00a0From a longtime fan: YOU politicize the venue with this tantrum of depriving attendees and workers of your talents\u00a0\u00bb, Davis wrote on X.
\u00ab\u00a0Better to appear, as your contract requires, and make your gripe clear from the stage if you wish.\u00a0\u00bb
Trump removed the Kennedy Center\u2019s leadership in February 2025 and installed himself as the board chair.<\/p>\n