In a striking decision, the producers of Hamilton have announced that the Tony Award-winning musical will no longer perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., next year. The move comes in response to President Donald Trump’s recent overhaul of the institution’s leadership, a shift that has ignited tensions in the arts community.
A Stand Against Partisan Influence
Producer Jeffrey Seller made it clear that the decision was not about rejecting the administration itself but rather the changes taking place at the Kennedy Center.
“Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” Seller stated. “We are not acting against his administration, but against the partisan policies of the Kennedy Center as a result of his recent takeover. These actions bring a new spirit of partisanship to the national treasure that is the Kennedy Center.”
The decision means that Hamilton will no longer take the stage at the Kennedy Center from March 3 to April 26, 2026, as originally scheduled. Tickets had yet to go on sale.
A Legacy of Political Engagement
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s groundbreaking musical has long been recognized for its political resonance, not only in its subject matter—chronicling the life of Alexander Hamilton through a diverse, hip-hop-infused lens—but also in its activism.
This is not the first time Hamilton has taken a political stance. In 2016, during a Broadway performance attended by then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence, the cast delivered a post-show message urging the new administration to uphold American values and work on behalf of all citizens.
The show previously played at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during Trump’s first administration and returned in 2022 under President Joe Biden.
An Arts Institution in Turmoil
The Kennedy Center has faced increasing controversy since Trump took control of its board of trustees, forcing out longtime leadership as part of his broader campaign against what he calls “woke” culture. His actions have been met with mixed reactions from the arts community, leading several artists to withdraw from scheduled performances.
Actor Issa Rae, musician Rhiannon Giddens, author Louise Penny, and rock band Low Cut Connie have all canceled upcoming Kennedy Center engagements. Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Victoria Clark proceeded with her February 15 performance but made a silent statement by wearing a T-shirt that read “ANTI TRUMP AF” on stage.
As the national cultural institution, the Kennedy Center serves millions of visitors each year with its concert halls, theaters, lecture spaces, and the Millennium Stage, which has historically hosted free performances. However, with the growing divide over the institution’s new direction, its future as an apolitical hub for the arts is now in question.
For Hamilton, a show rooted in the ideals of revolution and democracy, the decision to step away may be another chapter in its ongoing commitment to using art as a form of resistance.
