‘Hamilton’ Producer Cancels Shows At Kennedy Center, Blames Trump

“Hamilton” Broadway musical producer Jeffrey Seller announced he’s canceled upcoming shows at The Kennedy Center because President Donald Trump terminated most members of the Board of Trustees — including Chairman David Rubenstein — and had taken over the role himself.

In a lengthy rant on the X “Hamilton” account, the producer wrote that, “Political disagreement and debate are vital expressions of democracy. These basic concepts of freedom are at the very heart of ‘Hamilton.’ However, some institutions are sacred and should be protected from politics. The Kennedy Center is one such institution.”

“The Kennedy Center was meant to be for all Americans, a place where we could all come together in celebration of the arts. Politics have never affected the presentation of thousands of shows and the display of extraordinary visual arts,” he added, claiming that in recent weeks “decades” of “neutrality” at the center had “been destroyed” by Trump.

“’Given these recent actions, our show simply can not, in good conscience, participate and be part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center,” Seller continued. “Therefore, we have canceled the third engagement of ‘Hamilton’ at the Kennedy Center, originally scheduled for March 3 through April 26, 2026.”

The “Hamilton” producer claimed the cancellation was also a business decision, suggesting that under Trump’s leadership “hundreds of employees of ‘Hamilton’” could be “financially and personally” effected “if the new leadership suddenly cancelled or re-negotiated our engagement.”

In response to the announcement, Ric Grenell, who is serving as the interim president of the Kennedy Center following the termination of Deborah Rutter, posted on X that this decision was a “publicity stunt that will backfire.”

“Let’s be clear on the facts. Seller and @Lin_Manuel first went to the New York Times before they came to the Kennedy Center with their announcement that they can’t be in the same room with Republicans,” Grenell wrote. 

“The Arts are for everyone — not just for the people who Lin likes and agrees with,” he added. “The American people need to know that @Lin_Manuel is intolerant of people who don’t agree with him politically. It’s clear he and Sellers don’t want Republicans going to their shows. Americans see you, Lin.”

Let’s be clear on the facts.

Seller and @Lin_Manuel first went to the New York Times before they came to the Kennedy Center with their announcement that they can’t be in the same room with Republicans.

This is a publicity stunt that will backfire.

The Arts are for everyone -… https://t.co/K56LjofULp

— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) March 5, 2025

The move by the “Hamilton” producer is only the latest fallout from Trump’s changes at the Kennedy Center. Hollywood star Issa Rae previously backed out of performing her one night show at The Kennedy Center after Trump became the chairman of the board. Producer-writer Shonda Rhimes announced she had resigned as treasurer from the Kennedy Center board because of Trump’s involvement.

Her resignation was followed by singer-songwriter and former frontman of Ben Folds Five, Ben Folds, who announced he also was out as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) following the move by Trump, The Hollywood Reporter noted. The Kennedy Center oversees the NSO, as well as the Washington National Opera, THR noted.

Related: Actress Issa Rae Backs Out Of Performing At Kennedy Center After Trump Becomes Chair