Award-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens has joined the list of artists canceling appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. following President Trump’s controversial takeover of the institution. Trump’s influence on the center, part of his campaign against “woke” culture, has led to widespread backlash from artists.
Giddens announced on social media that she would be moving her show to a different venue, The Anthem, due to her concerns about the center’s leadership. This decision comes after President Trump forced out the center’s previous leadership and was elected chair of the board of trustees.
The Kennedy Center, a renowned complex supported by government funding and private donations, has historically been a bipartisan institution attracting millions of visitors each year. However, Trump’s involvement has prompted some artists to boycott the center and move their performances elsewhere.
Other artists who have canceled appearances at the Kennedy Center include Issa Rae, Louise Penny, and the band Low Cut Connie. Singer-songwriter Victoria Clark chose to perform but made a statement by wearing a T-shirt with an anti-Trump message on stage.
Giddens, known for her roots music performances and collaborations, is a recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” grant and has a history of standing up for her beliefs through her music. The controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center’s leadership has sparked a larger conversation about the intersection of politics and the arts.
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