Comedian Bill Maher has criticized artists and musicians who have canceled or refused to perform at the Kennedy Center due to its association with President Donald Trump, calling the decisions "stupid."
Maher, who recently received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, argued in an interview that these cancellations are counterproductive. "First of all, you're just giving him the victory. He doesn't own the Kennedy Center. He doesn't own comedy," Maher stated. He believes artists should continue their performances, sending the message that "life goes on."
He compared the situation to the annual Kennedy Center Honors, noting that the event is a significant honor and a unique American tradition that Trump does not control. "You're up in the box, you know, it's awesome. It's great, and it's rare, and it's America, and he doesn't own that, either," Maher added.
A list of performers and organizations that have withdrawn from Kennedy Center engagements due to Trump includes the musical "Hamilton," actress Issa Rae, banjo player Béla Fleck, the San Francisco Ballet, cellist Seth Parker Woods, violinist Hilary Hahn, composer Philip Glass, Renée Fleming, Vocal Arts DC, the Brentano Quartet, the Seattle Children's Theatre, the Martha Graham Dance Company, the Washington National Opera, and Sonia De Los Santos.
Maher suggested that artists allowing Trump to "ruin everything" are misguided. He also recalled the Trump administration's initial attempt to prevent him from receiving his award, which he viewed as a challenge. "I was like, ‘Game on,’" Maher said.
Maher and Trump have a history of public exchanges. Despite meeting for dinner at the White House last year, an event that drew criticism from some liberals, Maher has continued to be a critic of the president. He previously stated he respected Trump's adversarial approach, noting on his podcast "Club Random" that he "love[s] that, you know, he takes the game seriously. Like no, ‘I’m going to block this guy.’ I respect the move."
The controversy surrounding the Kennedy Center's name began shortly after Trump's inauguration, when he appointed himself a trustee and replaced several board members. The new board subsequently elected him chair and dismissed the center's president, Deborah Rutter. The board then moved to rename the venue the "Trump-Kennedy Center."
However, U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that renaming the iconic arts venue required an act of Congress. On June 13, workers began removing Trump's name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which had been altered to read "The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center For The Performing Arts."