From "New Year’s Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled/The jazz drummer Billy Hart said the decision was 'evidently' connected to President Trump’s name being added to the arts center" (NYT).
Art is not logic.
December 30, 2025
"The artists who have protested in recent weeks include Kristy Lee, a folk singer from Alabama, who announced she was pulling out from a free concert...."
"'I won’t lie to you, canceling shows hurts,' she said in a social media post. 'This is how I keep the lights on. But losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck.'"
From "New Year’s Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled/The jazz drummer Billy Hart said the decision was 'evidently' connected to President Trump’s name being added to the arts center" (NYT).
From "New Year’s Eve Concerts at Kennedy Center Are Canceled/The jazz drummer Billy Hart said the decision was 'evidently' connected to President Trump’s name being added to the arts center" (NYT).
Posts
125 comments:
Fuck those libtards.
Replace them with something good. I'd get some Faure, Ravel and Debussy string trios and quartets.
Stigma is one of those interesting words with an odd origin that explains a lot very quickly and should be used more often or even more oftenly.
Faure piano trio op 120 not played enough.
Well we’ve learned musicians can have the regular kind of integrity but sometimes musicians have the stupid Neil Young kind of integrity and pretend its the regular kind…
But losing my integrity would cost me more than any paycheck.
Given everything we've learned in 2025 about the Democrat money laundering machine, I think we can dismiss this kind of claim as bullshit.
Take the whole Kennedy Center and move it to a site along the Missouri River in Bismarck, ND. Why should the hinterlands pay tribute to DC so they can build themselves pleasure palaces?
Quotations from Chairman Gutfeld, #58: Politics is downstream from culture. Trump seems to have a long-term plan to Make Culture American Again. KInd of like how Reagan was able to keep a circle of Hollywood people around him, either conservatives or people who just liked him personally. And meanwhile the 80s had a lot of rightie pop culture: POW movies, Red Dawn, Lee Greenwood, etc.
Trump has shown he can surround himself with rightie cultural figures, or at least people who like him personally or just respect the office. Pop culture is turning rightie in spite of all the left's efforts: all the biblical movies and shows, Gutfeld & co, JK Rowling, and omg, still Lee Greenwood.
The KC (I guess the T&KC) can fill the bill with rightie acts and the seats with the silent minority of DMV righties, school groups from real America, etc.
Grennell should experiment with more Hispanic-oriented stuff. Anecdotally, I saw lots of Spanish-speaking families at the Army 250 parade and at a KC free showing of The King of Kings, even though it was in English. Book some Latino acts and see what happens. Tell Noem to keep ICE away for those nights, of course. But all kidding aside, such acts would attract legal immigrants and DACA kids who have built families here and subscribe to Trump's manifesto.
The ironic thing is, as always, Trump would have been perfectly happy to have 99% of the leftie acts keep playing the KC. But they had to Stand Up For Our Democracy! Poor them. CC, JSM
‘tis the season to be hissy.
Flippin’ candyass lefties…
Fritz: "Take the whole Kennedy Center and move it to a site along the Missouri River in Bismarck, ND. "
Even better, Omaha! And opening night can be Begley's Frankenstein Part II. CC, JSM
Ted Nugent eagerly waiting by his phone in hopes to reprise his hit song “jailbait” before Republican audiences.
An artist is free to refuse to perform, but must be prepared to pay the penalty for breaking a contract.
And to face the New York Times hagiography that goes to all that cross Trump.
Kak: thanks for the reminder. Ted is a big libertarian and has mellowed into a family values man. And he's a nostalgia act who could pack the KC. Good idea! CC, JSM
candyass kak
totally wack
better stand clear
as he’s huffin’ teh crack
h/t Freddie Blassie
In a way its constructive since the musicians who take the money to perform but still puke their anti-Trump screed from the stage will look like greedy pussies…
Hmmmm. Why do I suspect that these “artists” are being paid under the table by leftists to break their contracts? Someone should ask the hard questions and follow the money.
Rehajm: that is exactly what happens. I go to the free concerts and so many of the acts feel obligated to pee on Trump. But hey, they are inside the KC peeing out. CC, JSM
When the KC was conceived/built under the Eisenhower admin, it was named something anodyne -- which I can't remember without looking it up. Just return the place to that name, pre-JFK assassination.
(as you may have deduced, I am invested in this subject because I live in the KC's hood)
The pre-Trump KC was an excellent example of leftie hypocrisy. It is free and open to the public 12 hrs a day, and it's in the middle of a neighborhood that tolerated all the homeless encampments and accompanying antics. Yet it never turned into a de facto flophouse. Why? Because it has an armed security force that doesn't put up with that stuff. If a homeless person wants to come in, sit quietly, stay awake, watch the free acts, look at the Kennedy exhibit, etc, that's fine. Heck, I usually look like a homeless guy when I come for the free concerts. But I have never seen anyone racked out on a couch, camping out in the bathroom, etc. That means the guard force is rousting them, and if that doesn't work, the management is signing off on trespass complaints.
Also, the Metropolitan Police show up most nights to help direct traffic in and out of the events. The place's location on the river makes for dramatic vistas, but crap traffic flow unless someone manages it. And all that police presence helps keep my neighborhood safe.
All that was going on throughout the BLM/Defund The Police era. Why? Because lefty elites were at risk if the place went the way of the rest of DC.
So screw them. If they're going to be de-facto righty, they can be righty all the way. CC, JSM
“Financially devastating but morally exhilarating” is the kind of sentence that makes me happy we developed English.
I’m from Alabama and have been part of the music scene here in one form or another for decades and have no idea who she is. But, hey - congrats on keeping her integrity! lol
I respect the artist’s choice. They agreed to perform at the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center no longer exists. They never agreed to perform at a place named after someone they despise. Sounds like a decent legal argument.
’They agreed to perform at the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center no longer exists. They never agreed to perform at a place named after someone they despise.’
Especially named after a bad orange man!!
The wife is flying to the west coast early Friday morning. I'll drive her down to JFK/DJT airport.
Fritz said...
“Take the whole Kennedy Center and move it to a site along the Missouri River in Bismarck, ND. Why should the hinterlands pay tribute to DC so they can build themselves pleasure palaces?”
I’ve traveled to over 40 countries and visited many national and state capitals. One thing I’ve noticed across continents and centuries is that the ruling class has no hesitation at spending public money for their own comfort and entertainment.
Remember when Laura Bush invited a bunch of poets to the White House to bring attention to the art of poetry and so many of them publicly refused the invitation that the event had to be cancelled? The poets thought Laura Bush was evil and they refused to cooperate with evil. Artists!
Lynyrd skynyrd had their number didnt they so many years ago
Why is it spelled that way.
The coach’s name was Leonard Skinner.
How does Trump-Kennedy Center contribute to defined mission of our national government? Yes, I know, "...and promote the general welfare...."
JMHO, but aspects of "general welfare" most appropriate to national government are 1) defend borders and 2) mint sound currency. Let us get a balanced budget and zero national debt before celebrating with song and dance.
Aside, it is one of those unfortunate nebulous clauses in our founding documents, like Jefferson alteration of Locke's Life, Liberty and Property triad.
Screw it. Rename the whole thing the Trump Performing Arts Center and be done with it. Lean into it. They are going to call you racist anyway, so let them and do what you want to do in their face.
It’s really too bad that some performers only want to entertain people on one side of the political spectrum. They could do so much good by bringing people together who enjoy what they do. Common interests can melt divisiveness.
A new Trump Kennedy Centre Website : https://www.trumpkennedycenter.org/
There will be others -- that redacted footer is gold
One of the writers of Southpark bought this domain and is having fun with it.
If they want folk musicians to replace her, they should get The Folksmen.
Sounds like a job for Ted Nugent, Lee Greenwood and Kid Rock. My wife and I were just talking about how Kid Rock could do a residency at the Trump Center.
Yea, Trump should have left his name off of the thing. It triggers TDS. Better would have been The Musical Arts Grand Arena (MAGA).
These people support and vote for some really terrible and corrupt people and organizations all the time. It's really just about fitting it with their desired circle. There are no real principles.
Breezy said...
“It’s really too bad that some performers only want to entertain people on one side of the political spectrum. They could do so much good by bringing people together who enjoy what they do. Common interests can melt divisiveness.“
Let’s throw out some terms like “brand risk” and “neutral audience” that changed once Trump horned in and made it about him.
Still don’t get it? Consider an Obama or Biden name addition. Need I say more?
No one around the nation cares if the elite in Washington DC are left without a night of entertainment and being seen.
That said, Trump's name should be nowhere near that edifice and certainly not sitting atop a memorialized name of an assassinated President. Must he christen everything with his brand?
Entertainers are just entertainers and no one is looking to them for moral direction. In other words, just dance or sing and otherwise shut up. We do not view you as more grand for your stand. Unless you actually took a stand on something difficult to take a stand for- like something the entertainment industry is not in lock-step about.
Weve been waiting them to do that for 20 years but they refuse to stay in their lane
South park had their number once (in team america)
Trump's name shouldn't be on the thing. But if that's what it takes to close the place down and put elitist noses out of joint, then it's fine with me. Now they'll have to find a new spot to preen and condescend. Preferably at their own expense.
Let's review the logic. I make plans for attending a concert on a holiday. I buy tickets, hire a sitter. Then the band pulls out because they object to who the President is, loudly proclaiming their political virtue. But I didn't buy a ticket based on my politics - I bought it because I wanted to attend a holiday concert.
Is the President hurt by this? Is the concertgoer? What if the concertgoer is a Democrat? Have they just been volunteered to 'take one for the team', as the chump? How stupid would you have to be to buy into such concepts?
I've never seen such an implosion of basic values as the one we've been witnessing.
jim5301 said...
I respect the artist’s choice. They agreed to perform at the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center no longer exists. They never agreed to perform at a place named after someone they despise. Sounds like a decent legal argument.
I doubt the venue name was a material term of the performance agreement.
I found it hard to believe Trump's name was put on the building, but now I see the reasoning. To get all these people to back out.
When Democrats take over, I've noticed they rename streets, buildings, lakes, national parks, etc., and even remove statues and the names of their disfavored parties from history books and national holidays. You know, like that Columbus guy. So why the vapors now, Kak?
"Beasts of England said...
The coach’s name was Leonard Skinner."
Not coach, gym teacher.
’Not coach, gym teacher.’
I was close… :)
Yah it was a Trump troll. It worked…
…of course if you don’t like Trump you’ll declare the move unPresidential but politicians are political and it’s good as a political move. The supposed voices of reason are exposed as deranged lunatics they are.
Good. I hope more of these 2nd rate far-leftists "back out" and refuse to perform. More room for the 1st rate ones who want to recieve the honor.
Most of our "Culture" (notice scare quotes) is a toxic waste dump filled with hacks. Let the political hacks be political.
TDS is real,
How long are people going to be shocked at exclaim "Why cant these artists just shut up and sing?" This has been going on my entire life. "Artists" boycotted Nixon-Ford.
Thats how leftists are. They care about politics - even if you dont.
Trump should have left his name off the center considering how many potential performers have really bad cases of TDS. I would have renamed it the "Mary Jo Kopechne Memorial Center". That would stir up some interesting reactions.
"Beasts of England said...
’Not coach, gym teacher.’
I was close… :)"
Very.
That said, Trump's name should be nowhere near that edifice and certainly not sitting atop a memorialized name of an assassinated President.
Should Kennedy but not Trump have the honor just because Lee Harvey Oswald was a better shot?
It has always beem a guild now they have made it clear
There seems to be a mechanism to decide what the name of the place is. That mechanism was in motion and it decided. Opinions to the contrary apparently don’t get a say. Somewheres Hawaiian judges seethe…
"Art is not logic." But prog politics is. Trump bad; therefore, anything related to Trump bad; therefore, me no play in Trump-named venue. Or: prog is best; therefore, progs deserve to rule; therefore, any sign that progs don't rule must be squashed.
I wont repeat the sobriquet stone and company had back then
For the performers
Toby Tucker is on to something there, lol…
If Oldsmobile were still a viable GM division they could’ve called it the Oldsmobile Aquatic Center… or something along those lines.
“Need I say more?”
No. Yur work here r dun. Adios, pinci pendejo.
If only in memoriam as a tomb for Kennedy.
When president Vance proposes reverting to the original name as a compromise on a yet to be determined matter he will be praised for it. And maybe the National Cultural Center was the best name all along.
Excellent, Rocco @7:37am!
https://youtu.be/g3WmYuUBvqA
Before this ado, if you had asked me if I had heard of the Kennedy Center, I'd have said yes, they host "galas" to which I pay no attention. If you'd asked me where it is, I'd have said NYC. That was the sum of my knowledge on the subject.
I suspect that may be as much as most people in the USA know or care about this.
Admittedly, my suspicions are off beam on ocassion.
TobyTucker said...
Trump should have left his name off the center considering how many potential performers have really bad cases of TDS.
Driving people with TDS out of public life is a net win. So I've now decided that I'd love to see Trump's name everywhere.
Not because I love Trump (I don't. He's a politician. Therefore he's nothing more than a tool to get what I want), but because I hate left wing lunatics, and TDS is as much of a sign of "I'm a loser" lunacy as is Jew hatred.
The above is not intended as a slam at our blog host. I understand why she blogged on this subject.
Kirstie Alley and actor Parker Stevenson attend the "Hollywood Salutes the Kennedy Center Honorees" Gala.
A homonymous tribute to homonymophobes out there.
That said, RIP, Kirstie
Ah parker stevenson like dirk benedict a relic of earlier times
Yes I was thinking the same, time to get shit in the pants Ted Nuggent, Kid Rock(what a talent) Village People and Headliner Lara Trump and SHEFF G(5 years prison murder gang banger and Sleepy Hallow(also sent to jail) and a myriad of others so good luck to those who refuse to perform ,there are a slew of trumpers willing to go on. trump as MC47 YEAH BABY . now that's entertainment. Everything turns to.......
jim5301 said...
I respect the artist’s choice. They agreed to perform at the Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center no longer exists. They never agreed to perform at a place named after someone they despise. Sounds like a decent legal argument.
No Jim, it's not.
Because left wing feelings have no legal value, weight, or importance.
They agreed to perform a concert for the public. They're now refusing. They can pay their cancelation fee (if any), or get sued
Ronald J. Ward said...
Still don’t get it? Consider an Obama or Biden name addition. Need I say more?
They've already GOT that, shit for brains. Kennedy was a Democrat President, just like Obama & Biden.
Nothing named after a Democrat only is for "all Americans"
Did we forget all the performers who swore allegiance to obama (too many to count)
The Kennedy Center is in the rotting apple? That explains Trump's peculiar, particular interest. And the liberal lean into abort with an ironic, historical twist. Are they punch drunk?
Trump is the master class troller.
Not because I love Trump (I don't. He's a politician. Therefore he's nothing more than a tool to get what I want)
Worth repeating.
Kennedy and Trump had a lot in common. Their political views on immigration, gay marriage, abortion etc. would be quite compatible. And If Trump was defeated by cheating Democrats in 2020, Kennedy was elected by them in 1960. They would have gotten along fine.
I'm on a Robin Williams kick and have been watching his SNL appearances and listening to various interviews he made from the 80s till his death. He always mocked and satirized republicans and conservatives. Never Leftists. Because... he was a leftist. Duh.
But I'm sure there were people back then who were upset when he got political. "Gosh darn it why cant he do funny voices".
Getting rid of leftist hacks is one way to make our culture great again.
As a moment of national healing, Trump should have an Oval Office address where he apologizes for the naming, and announce an act he has just signed for a re-opening extravaganza. An act that will bring all Americans together.
The Aristocrats. CC, JSM
Lights out for Kristy.
The Obama and Biden administrations politicized the venue, inviting only left leaning performers and divisive political advocates, all while trying to promote the idea they are ordinary American entertainment while conservatives are outcasts. Not an ounce of criticism for the politicalization either. It worked…
Absolutely right. Trump and Kennedy have a lot in common. Born into wealth. Older brother dies Young. Their fathers were both shady operators. Both were serial womanizers with serious drug habits to keep themselves performing at high levels. And both caved into Soviet aggression by backing down. Will the Venezuela adventure turn into a bay of pigs?
"Not coach, gym teacher."
When I was in high school, the gym teacher was called 'coach'.
Contemplating the fact that so many of the US wealthiest counties surround DC, I came up with a progressive corrective.
I'm calling it the Capitol Gains Tax. Wealth and income will be taxed inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the capitol.
The folks who invented and managed the old dairy pricing scheme can advise.
I'm no fan of anything being named after politicians, but I would accept Trump renaming North America to MAGAland if it would have the same effect at scale. Is anybody bothered by Rosie moving to Ireland, I mean besides the Irish of course?
I would have aimed for the stars and renamed the Kennedy Space Center. There's less chance of astronauts cancelling because they don't like the name.
RH, thanks for the Fauré link
If the next President is a D, Trump's name will be removed.
"No Jim, it's not."
Here's a test. Suppose Trump arranges to have the country's name changed to 'The Great United States of America'.
Using Jim's 'decent legal argument', every last one of the thieving, scamming Somalians in the country could be rounded up and deported overnight because none of them have any documents or records showing that they were given permission to be in 'The Great United States of America'. Anything they might have referring to 'The United States of America' is irrelevant, since 'The United States of America' no longer exists.
Of course, Jim would not find this to be a 'decent legal argument'. But that's what you get with leftards- rules for thee and rules for me.
AA: Grinell's letter threatening $1m lawsuit for jazz cancellation does not read like the renaming was designed to provoke cancellations.
Good Lord. That IG post is hilarious:
"I believe in the power of truth..."
"I won’t lie to you..."
"America didn’t get built by branding. It got built by people showing up and doing the work..."
"That’s all I’m doing here. I’m showing up."
That's literally the opposite of what you're doing. You're literally refusing to show up. You're a moron.
Her loss? The centers gain
https://youtu.be/4ZormhcdhCg?si=K5R4na4jeO-V5GX2
These artist people always think they have something to say, even if to say nothing.
Tome of the utter angst.
Not a big fan of adding Trumps name to the Kennedy center. I would rather honor Trump after he leaves office by naming something new or currently unnamed after him. But I give it a 10 out of 10 for trolling liberals.
JFK's granddaughter dead at 35.
I think we should take Trump's and Kennedy's name off it. A habitual liar and sexual predator should not be honored in this way. Neither should the current President.
“I think this is a huge political problem for him,” David Axelrod said Monday. “It’s a symbol of his distraction. It’s the Marie Antoinette thing that he’s got going. That is a big political problem.
And not for him, he’s not on the ballot in next November, but Republicans should be really concerned about what they’re seeing.
I mean, people are sitting around and thinking about how they’re going to pay their bills, and he’s posting stuff about how he’s going to have marble handrails at the Kennedy Center. And he’s posting marble pictures of his new marble Palm Room at the White House and so on.
And people are saying to themselves, ‘What the hell does that have to do with me? I thought he was going to be fighting for me to bring my costs down. And he seems obsessed with gold and putting his name on things and remodeling buildings and rebuilding monuments to himself.’”
Obama who held a party at the white house every week during the recession pull my other finger
Bit of history rewriting Narciso but okay, have it your way.
How’d them midterms work out?
Fuck 'em.
PM said...
"If the next President is a D, Trump's name will be removed."
If the next President is a D, it will be the George Floyd Center for the Performing Arts.
"Art is not logic." Who said it was? This subject would never appear here if it was slanted toward foregiving Trump's strange reasoning as to why he should ever want him to run the JFK Center for the Arts, even forgiving his self-love.
With all the harm the President has caused to the world economy and his fascism that threatens our democracy and the rule of law, who is surprised that attendance at events at the Art enter have declined. The one-way street doesn't encourage in most cases when some people want to go the other way.
"During his eight-year administration, President Barack Obama hosted approximately 25 to 30 significant social events per year that featured entertainers or sports figures."
TrumP)
"His engagement with these groups averaged roughly 5 to 8 major events per year, primarily focused on sports:"
Thanks fullmoon
I favor taking Trump's name off and adding "Bay of Pigs" after Kennedy's name. If you're going to remember someone, it should be for something he did.
I'm sure that President Trump sincerely appreciates David Axelrod's sincere advice.
So now it's "the world economy" that Trump is responsible for. When the U.S. does well compared to the rest of the world, that's a good thing, if you are an American.
I seem to recall that Trump's tariff's were going to doom the U.S. to poverty and irrelevance. Maybe I imagined that. I mean, is it really possible that so many "experts" were so wrong?
Oh noes...anyways
Boatman, obviously your concerns over Axelrod triggering Trump differs from mine.
By the way, I haven’t refreshed my news aggregator pages. Has Trump trashed Tatiana Schlossberg yet? Early in the evening so most likely not. Around the 3 AM toilet tweets seem to be his physical and mental release times.
Boatman @ 5:37, I refer you back to the fat lady.
Enough about rosie o donnell
More people will have heard about this obscure folk singer who has next to no following, but has massive integrity though, from her virtue signaling than from all the small concerts she has played or the NPR interviews she's done. DGAF.
Ronald J. Ward said...
Bit of history rewriting Narciso but okay, have it your way.
How’d them midterms work out?
2010 and 2014 midterms worked out really well for Republicans, thank you
The Trump administration routinely uses musicians' songs without permission in official videos and posts, yet it expects artists to participate in events at the Kennedy Center. This irony is heightened by the recent takeover and renaming of the center, which has led many performers to cancel appearances in protest.
Trump's name should be nowhere near that edifice
An edifice complex...?
This seems like a great opportunity to showcase MAGA creative and artistic talent. I’m sure they will draw big patriotic crowds. Paging Rob Schneider & Kid Rock.
Kevin Sorbo and Scott Baio could have residencies. I'm sure MAGA would be lining up to see their nonexistent talents. 🤣
Don't lefties drive across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac, ignoring that it is named after a KKK-supported president who re-segregated the federal workforce? If we're gonna start being picky about place names let's at least be consistent and damn them all for their sins, imagined or real.
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