Washington National Opera to Leave Kennedy Center After Five Decades Amid Trump Takeover

After 55 years, the Washington National Opera will leave its longtime home at Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center, citing concerns with the venue’s direction since Trump installed himself as chairman of the board, hand-picked a board of directors, and renamed the famed establishment.

“Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity,” the opera said in a statement to the New York Times.

The opera told the Times that their decision stemmed from Trump’s takeover, as well as a slew of artist cancellations at the Kennedy Center. Additionally, the opera told the publication that there were issues regarding programming disagreements with the venue’s leadership, including an order to open every concert with a performance of the national anthem.

Kennedy Center president and Trump loyalist Richard Grenell argued that it was actually the venue’s decision to end the exclusive partnership with the WNO in order to “have the flexibility and funds to bring in operas from around the world and across the U.S.”

“Having an exclusive Opera was just not financially smart,” Grenell said. “And our patrons clearly wanted a refresh.”

The Trump Kennedy Center has made the decision to end the exclusive partnership with the Washington Opera so that we can have the flexibility and funds to bring in operas from around the world and across the U.S.

Having an exclusive relationship has been extremely expensive and… https://t.co/rN6kSVRp7z

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 10, 2026

The Kennedy Center’s list of cancellations continues to grow amid the venue’s recent renaming to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Last week, Béla Fleck — the 17-time Grammy Award-winning banjoist who was set to join the National Symphony Orchestra in mid-February — called-off their appearance.

| READ: Petition Nears 100K Signatures Calling on Kennedy Center Donors to Suspend Funding |

Fleck is certainly not alone; the banjoist joins a growing list of performers who have cancelled upcoming gigs at the venue. Chuck Redd pulled the plug on his annual “Jazz Jams” Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center last month, followed by a pair of New Year’s Eve concerts by the jazz supergroup The Cookers. Alongside the holiday shows, folk singer Kristy Lee cancelled a show in January, while Doug Varone and Dancers said they would no longer perform at the venue in April.

Additionally, “Wicked” composer Stephen Schwartz said he will no longer host the Washington National Opera Gala this May.

The Kennedy Center has faced criticism and political scrutiny since Trump’s appointment. The President previously said that he plans to eliminate drag shows and “woke” art at the venue, though admitted he has never actually seen a show at the institution. Shows have been cancelled, including the production “Finn” and the award-winning “Hamilton.” “Legally Blonde” has also been postponed.