Renée Fleming cancels Kennedy Center appearances
January 23, 2026
Renée Fleming is withdrawing from two May appearances at the Kennedy Center. This follows a wave of cancellations since President Trump ousted the previous leadership and announced the venue’s renaming. Fleming was set to perform with conductor James Gaffigan and the National Symphony Orchestra. A year ago, she resigned as “Artistic Advisor at Large” due to leadership changes. The Kennedy Center cites “a scheduling conflict” for her withdrawal. Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bela Fleck, and Issa Rae have also canceled events. Trump has targeted the center in his attacks against “woke” culture.