Béla Fleck Bows Out of Trump-Kennedy Center Gig!
What's got the twitterverse buzzing? Multi-Grammy winning banjo king Béla Fleck just announced he’s ditching his upcoming gig with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Trump-Kennedy Center! And he's not the only star turning away from the scene.
With his instrument tuned and vibes set for fun, Fleck took to social media to explain, “Performing there has become charged and political, at an institution where the focus should be on the music.” He hopes to jam with the NSO another time when the mood is all about creativity and harmony, not politics.
Why the fuss? December saw the Kennedy Center controversially rebranded as the Trump-Kennedy Center. Talk about a drama bomb! Not only did this makeover feature new signs, but it also came with low ratings for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, intense boycotts, and a wave of celebrity slam-dunks.
How did this happen? A shocking move in February 2025 saw Donald Trump oust board members, install himself as chair, and pledge to make this cultural landmark “GREAT AGAIN.” His caption game was strong with a Truth Social post that went viral.
Béla’s not flying solo in his decision, either! Other cool cats like Rhiannon Giddens, Issa Rae, Renee Fleming, Shonda Rhimes, and Ben Folds, plus the epic show Hamilton and many more, have all hit pause on their Kennedy Center plans.
But don’t fret – Béla’s world tour kicks off in style on January 31 at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, and fans are eagerly awaiting. The music keeps playing, just on different stages!