Hollywood star Issa Rae has backed out of performing her one night show at The Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump became the chairman of the board.
“Thank you so much for selling out the Kennedy Center for ‘An Evening with Issa Rae,’” the 40-year-old actress wrote in her Instagram Stories about her March 16 show, per <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/issa-rae-cancels-kennedy-center-appearance-1236136039/">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.
“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” she added.
It comes after Trump’s announcement that he had terminated most members of the Board of Trustees at the Kennedy Center — including Chairman David Rubenstein — and had taken over the role himself, as previously reported.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Issa Rae has canceled her sold-out show at the Kennedy Center after Donald Trump installed himself as chair of the performing arts institution <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/THRNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#THRNews</a> <a href="https://t.co/soLbOA8HoI">pic.twitter.com/soLbOA8HoI</a>
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) <a href="https://twitter.com/THR/status/1890196759613452350?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
Earlier this week, producer-writer Shonda Rhimes announced she had resigned as treasurer from the Kennedy Center board because of Trump’s involvement.
“Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center,” a spokesperson for the 55-year-old writer-producer told <a href="https://deadline.com/2025/02/shonda-rhimes-kennedy-center-trump-1236287351/">Deadline</a> magazine.
Formerly appointed to the board by former President Barack Obama, Rhimes had been serving as one of its officers. 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 <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/ben-folds-resigns-nso-trump-1236134722/">Hollywood Reporter</a> noted.
<a class="c-link" href="http://dailywire.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://dailywire.com/subscribe" data-sk="tooltip_parent" aria-describedby="sk-tooltip-7935">PRESIDENTS’ DAY SALE! 40% Off DailyWire+ Annual Memberships With Code DW40</a>
“Given the developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” Folds wrote in a post on Instagram. “Not for me.”
The Kennedy Center oversees the NSO, as well as the Washington National Opera, THR noted.
The fallout continued, with actress Renee Fleming revealing a short time later she was out as artistic adviser at large, too, Deadline noted.
Trump made the announcement in a post to his social media platform Truth Social, and added that he also planned to make immediate changes to some of the events that were held there — beginning with drag shows that were intended for an audience of children.
Following the termination of Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter, Ric Grenell, who is serving as interim president, announced on <a href="https://x.com/RichardGrenell/status/1889833504562675852">X</a> that he had been briefed “by the CFO of the Kennedy Center on its financial situation” and said it was dire.
“She told me there is ZERO cash on hand. And ZERO in reserves,” Grenell wrote. “And the deferred maintenance is a crisis. For the past months they’ve been digging into the DEBT RESERVES.”
The Daily Wire’s managing editor, Brent Scher, added on <a href="https://x.com/BrentScher/status/1889876532606411206">X</a>, “I’m told by a source inside the Kennedy Center that Grenell cut $2.4 MILLION (!!!) worth of executive salaries today. Its former president was making $1.4 million a year. Its general counsel was making over $500k. That’s absurd.”
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/shonda-rhimes-resigns-from-kennedy-center-board-after-trump-becomes-chair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shonda Rhimes Resigns From Kennedy Center Board After Trump Becomes Chair</a>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

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

CONTINUE READING

Bill Murray Reveals Movie Role He Still Regrets Not Taking

Trump Schools The Left, Answers ‘What Is A Woman?’

‘Malcolm In The Middle’ Revival Will Be Missing One Major Star Who Has Left Hollywood Behind

‘Scrubs’ Star Hits Back At Critics For Commenting On Her Health After Red Carpet

‘Nightmare’: ‘Baywatch’ Alum Recalls Horrifying 13-Year Ordeal Involving Female Stalker

‘Snow White’ Producer’s Son Destroys Rachel Zegler Amid Film’s Box Office Struggles

Entertainment

Celebrities

Donald Trump

Hollywood

The Kennedy Center

U.S.

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— Entertainment —

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