Composer Philip Glass drops Kennedy Center world premiere over Trump takeover
Reuters
Tue, January 27, 2026 at 5:15 PM UTC
2 min read
Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.
FILE PHOTO: A worker walks in front of the recently renamed Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C.
1
of
2
FILE PHOTO: A worker walks in front of the recently renamed Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 29, 2025. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
WASHINGTON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - American composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his symphony "Lincoln" from the Kennedy Center on Monday, saying the work's values conflict with those of the performing arts venue that was taken over by President Donald Trump.
Glass is the latest musical luminary to withdraw from the Kennedy Center since Trump named himself chairman and filled its board with his allies last year. The Washington National Opera said earlier this month it planned to leave its home of 50 years.
"After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” Glass, who turns 89 on January 31, wrote in a statement posted on X.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony," he wrote.
The symphony had been scheduled to be performed in June.
In December, the institution's board voted to rename it as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or Trump Kennedy Center for short.
Since then, many groups and artists have withdrawn from scheduled performances, citing the Republican leader's takeover.
Democrats, noting that the center's name was established by Congress, have said Trump's rebranding has no force of law. John F. Kennedy's family denounced the renaming move as undermining the slain president's legacy.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Glass' Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, the Washington Post reported.
Its premiere, already delayed, was due to be the centerpiece of the center's "250 Years of Us" program to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the newspaper said.
(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Joe Bavier)