The renowned jazz ensemble The Cookers has cancelled its New Year’s Eve performance at the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, just two days before the event, amid controversy over the venue’s recent renaming.
The Cookers, a celebrated jazz band, announced the abrupt cancellation of its scheduled New Year’s Eve concert at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center on Tuesday, two days prior to the 31 December performance, with the group offering no specific reason for the decision according to USA Today reporting.
Jazz Band Pulls Out Amid Renaming Backlash
The Cookers stated that the decision came together very quickly, as detailed in a USA Today article published on 30 December 2025, but declined to elaborate on the motivations behind the move. This cancellation follows the centre’s recent rebranding to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, a change that has sparked widespread debate in artistic circles.
As reported by USA Today, the band’s action aligns with a growing wave of performer withdrawals protesting the renaming, highlighting tensions between cultural institutions and political figures.
Historical Context of the Kennedy Center Renaming
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a landmark cultural venue on the Potomac River in Washington, DC, underwent a formal renaming to incorporate Donald J. Trump’s name, prompting reactions from artists who view the decision as politically charged. According to USA Today, this rebranding has led to multiple high-profile pullouts in the lead-up to the New Year’s celebrations.
Other Artists Join Protest Actions
Musician Chuck Redd has also cancelled his shows at the venue in protest, as noted in USA Today coverage from 30 December 2025. These developments underscore a pattern of artists distancing themselves from the Trump-Kennedy Center, with The Cookers’ move marking one of the most prominent cancellations ahead of the holiday event.
Venue Responds to Artist Cancellations
The Trump-Kennedy Center issued a statement criticising the cancellations, asserting that “Art is a shared cultural experience meant to” unite audiences, according to USA Today. The partial quote reflects the institution’s defence of its programming amid the backlash, emphasising the communal role of performances at the venue. No further details on alternative bookings or contingency plans were provided in available reports from USA Today on 30 December 2025.
Reports confirm The Cookers’ cancellation and related artist protests at the Trump-Kennedy Center, with the venue maintaining its stance on the value of shared artistic events despite the withdrawals.
