How Politics Affected “Hamilton” Performances At The Kennedy Center

The cancellation of Hamilton’s 2026 run at the Kennedy Center has sparked debates over the role of politics within arts institutions, a decision reflecting broader concerns about political interference in cultural spaces.

Quick Takes

Hamilton canceled its planned run at the Kennedy Center over President Trump’s control.
Producers cited altered programming and leadership as influencing factors.
Jeffrey Seller argued that political neutrality at the Kennedy Center is crucial.
Interim Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell criticized the decision as divisive.

The Decision to Cancel

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical Hamilton has been canceled for its 2026 run at the Kennedy Center, attributed to President Trump’s influence as chairman of the board. This decision is a response to changes in programming and leadership at the center following Trump’s appointments. The producers believe these changes do not align with the values of the Kennedy Center, which was founded as a politically neutral space for the arts.

Lead producer Jeffrey Seller emphasized that their decision is not an attack on Trump’s administration but a stand against the partisan policies now associated with the Kennedy Center. Seller noted concerns over the stability of contracts and agreements under the new leadership, highlighting the financial and personal stakes for the cast and crew of Hamilton.

Impact on the Arts Community

The repercussions of this decision have rippled across the arts community, with other artists and advisors also severing ties with the institution. Among them are figures like Melissa Errico, Issa Rae, Low Cut Connie, and Ben Folds, who resigned his position as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra. Their departures underscore a desire to protect the arts from political entanglement.

Trump’s administration has continued to exercise its influence, making significant changes at the Kennedy Center, including intentions to eliminate drag shows and “woke” art. These moves have prompted D.C. drag artists and community organizers to plan a “Rally & March for Drag” in response to changes they perceive as detrimental to cultural expression.

Reactions and Future Implications

The Kennedy Center’s interim president, Richard Grenell, criticized Hamilton’s cancellation as a publicity stunt, accusing Lin-Manuel Miranda and Seller of intolerance toward differing political opinions. This criticism highlights deeper issues concerning the increasing polarization of spaces traditionally regarded as neutral.

Miranda, who penned and starred in the original production, and Seller made a joint statement saying, “This latest action by Trump means it’s not the Kennedy Center as we knew it. The Kennedy Center was not created in this spirit, and we’re not going to be a part of it while it is the Trump Kennedy Center. We’re just not going to be part of it.”

This episode signals a broader trend within the arts community aiming to preserve artistic spaces from political biases. As more artists withdraw from the Kennedy Center, it poses questions about the institution’s future direction and the challenge of maintaining its foundational bipartisan spirit.