Acclaimed actress and filmmaker Issa Rae has announced the cancellation of her highly anticipated, sold-out event at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, citing concerns over the venue’s leadership after former President Donald Trump fired board members and installed himself as chairman earlier this week.
Rae, best known for creating and starring in HBO’s hit series Insecure, was set to host An Evening with Issa Rae on March 16 at the prestigious Washington, D.C., venue. However, in a statement posted on Instagram, the actress made it clear that she could not, in good conscience, proceed with the event given recent developments.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” Rae wrote.
She assured ticket holders that full refunds would be issued, expressing regret over the inconvenience but reaffirming her stance on artistic integrity and inclusivity.
The Kennedy Center, long considered a cultural landmark that champions diversity in the performing arts, has become the latest battleground in the ongoing debate over politics and entertainment. On Wednesday, the newly formed Kennedy Center Board voted unanimously to elect Mr. Trump as its new chairman.
Multiple sources told CBS News that Trump’s goal is to reshape the venue’s programming by moving away from what he perceives as “woke culture” and shifting towards more conservative-friendly content. This move has sparked widespread criticism within the arts community, with many viewing it as an attempt to politicize one of the nation’s most revered artistic institutions.
Issa Rae is not the only high-profile figure distancing herself from the Kennedy Center following Trump’s takeover. Prominent television producer and writer Shonda Rhimes, known for Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, resigned from her position as the board’s treasurer in protest.
Additionally, musician Ben Folds, who has served as the artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), announced his resignation via Instagram.
“Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” Folds wrote. “Not for me.”
Trump’s direct involvement in the Kennedy Center is seen by critics as an effort to reshape the cultural landscape in favor of his political ideology. The decision to fire board members and install new leadership raises questions about government interference in the arts and the future of creative expression in publicly supported institutions.
While Trump’s supporters argue that his leadership could bring fresh perspectives and financial efficiency to the center, others warn that it could lead to censorship and exclusion of voices that do not align with his administration’s views.
Issa Rae’s cancellation is likely just the beginning of a broader fallout, as more artists and performers weigh their options on whether to engage with an institution now under the influence of a highly polarizing political figure.
For now, fans who were eager to attend An Evening with Issa Rae will have to wait and see if the event will be rescheduled at a different venue. Meanwhile, the Kennedy Center faces mounting pressure as the arts community responds to its controversial new leadership.
