Philip Glass Withdraws 'Lincoln' Symphony Premiere From Trump–Kennedy Center, Citing Conflict With Current Leadership
Composer Philip Glass has withdrawn the premiere of his new "Lincoln" symphony from the Kennedy Center, saying it conflicts with the venue’s current leadership after Donald Trump became chairman in February 2025 and the board voted in December 2025 to rename it the "Trump–Kennedy Center." The National Symphony Orchestra’s executive director Jean Davidson said the orchestra learned of Glass’s decision at the same time as the press, while Kennedy Center PR chief Roma Daravi dismissed the cancellations as driven by "leftist activists" and President Richard Grenell blamed previous "far left leadership" for politically biased bookings.
📌 Key Facts
- Composer Philip Glass withdrew the premiere of his 'Lincoln' symphony from the Kennedy Center, citing a conflict with the center's current leadership.
- National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson said the NSO learned of Glass's decision at the same time as the press, indicating the orchestra was not notified in advance.
- Kennedy Center PR chief Roma Daravi pushed back on the cancellations, blaming 'leftist activists' and saying the center has 'no place for politics in the arts.'
- Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell said the canceled artists had been booked by the previous 'far left leadership' and portrayed the withdrawals as evidence of prior political booking bias.
- The article notes that Donald Trump became Kennedy Center chairman in February 2025 and that the board voted unanimously in December 2025 to rename the venue the 'Trump–Kennedy Center.'
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 28, 2026
1:00 AM
Oscar-nominated composer latest performer to pull Trump Kennedy Center performance over 'conflict' with values
New information:
- Fox article carries on‑the‑record pushback from Trump–Kennedy Center PR chief Roma Daravi, who frames the cancellations as driven by 'leftist activists' and says the center has 'no place for politics in the arts.'
- National Symphony Orchestra executive director Jean Davidson says the NSO learned of Glass’s decision at the same time as the press, signaling a lack of direct prior notice to the orchestra.
- The piece reiterates that Trump became Kennedy Center chairman in February 2025 and that the board voted unanimously in December 2025 to rename the venue the 'Trump–Kennedy Center.'
- Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell states that the canceling artists were booked by the previous 'far left leadership' and portrays the cancellations as proof of prior political booking bias.
January 27, 2026