Trump-Kennedy Center president Richard Grennell issued a lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd after the artist pulled out of a performance in protest of the center's name change.

Over the past few days, several petulant "pick-me" performers have canceled engagements at the Donald Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts over objections to the building's new title.

Acts such as the jazz septet, The Cookers and dance ensemble, Doug Varone and the Dancers, among others, have all pulled out in defiance, with Varone claiming his company is losing $40,000 for taking its stand.

Workers install Donald J. Trump above the current signage on the Kennedy Center on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)

But let's not kid ourselves: Varone and all of these groups will be fundraising off of their anti-Trump antics for years to come.

The question is how can the center’s president, Ric Grenell, and its board move forward in an environment in which so many artists simply refuse to play? I have five suggestions that could make 2026 the best in the venue’s history.

KENNEDY CENTER PRESIDENT DEMANDS $1M FROM JAZZ MUSICIAN WHO CANCELED CHRISTMAS EVE SHOW

Somewhat astonishingly, the role of artistic director does not exist at the Trump Kennedy Center. Instead, each division, be it opera or the symphony, has individual leadership. This should change and playwright Mamet is absolutely the right man for the job.

Mamet has proved to be the one conservative arts figure who........

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