Composer Philip Glass cancels premiere at Kennedy Center following Trump-led upheaval

Philip Glass has joined the list of artists withdrawing from performing at the Kennedy Center, following a series of changes made by US President Donald Trump.

The American composer was set to premiere his Lincoln symphony at the John F. Kennedy Center For Performing Arts, a popular cultural centre based in Washington D.C, in June. Glass, known for composing scores for films such as The Truman Show and The Hours, was awarded with the Kennedy Center Honours in 2018.

“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No 15 ‘Lincoln’ from the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," said Glass. "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.

“Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”

Trump was made chairman of the Kennedy Center last year, and shortly after made several controversial changes to the venue, including selecting a new board of trustees and renaming the centre the "Trump-Kennedy Center".

Other artists who have withdrawn from performing at the Kennedy Center in the past year include singer and former Kennedy Center Artistic Advisor Renée Fleming, Issa Rae and Stephen Schwartz.

Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell, who was appointed by Trump last February, addressed the cancellations on X earlier this month.

"This mob pressuring you will never be happy until you only play for Democrats. The Trump Kennedy Center believes all people are welcome — Democrats and Republicans and people uninterested in politics. We want performers who aren't political — who simply love entertaining everyone regardless of who they voted for."