Hamilton Cancels Shows over Trump Leadership Changes

The producers of the Broadway musical 'Hamilton' have canceled their 2026 performances at the Kennedy Center following President Donald Trump's overhaul of the center's leadership. Trump's decision to fire the center's president and board members, installing himself as chairman, marks a shift towards a more partisan institution. Lin-Manuel Miranda and producer Jeffrey Seller stated that 'Hamilton' cannot participate in a politicized environment that contradicts the spirit of the arts and the original nonpartisan nature of the Kennedy Center. Trump's actions are part of a broader campaign against what he calls 'woke' culture, and he criticized the center for featuring performances like drag shows. The Kennedy Center has experienced controversy and further cancellations by artists such as Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens, sparking discussions on political influence in the arts.