ECNETNews, New York, NY, March 6, 2025: Producers of the acclaimed Broadway musical Hamilton have announced the cancellation of an anticipated run at the Kennedy Center, attributing their decision to concerns over the political direction shaped by President Donald Trump’s administration.
This announcement was made on Wednesday and is a direct reaction to the recent removal of Democratic board members from the Kennedy Center, alongside the appointment of Richard Grenell as interim executive director.
The Washington, D.C. production was set to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next year. However, lead producer Jeffrey Seller expressed that the political shifts at the Kennedy Center undermine its long-standing tradition of nonpartisan support for the arts.
“We cannot currently endorse an institution that has compromised its mission as a national cultural center, which is meant to promote the free expression of art in America,” stated Seller.
A Political Clash Over the Arts
Seller emphasized that the choice to cancel was driven by the administration’s interference with the Kennedy Center’s leadership rather than specific political policies. In response, Grenell labeled the cancellation as a “publicity stunt.”
“The Arts belong to everyone – not just to those who share Lin’s views,” Grenell claimed, suggesting that Miranda and Seller are excluding Republican perspectives from the production.
This incident marks another chapter in Hamilton‘s contentious history with the Trump administration. In 2016, cast members addressed then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence during a performance, voicing apprehensions regarding the administration’s dedication to upholding the rights of all citizens. This prompted Trump to accuse the cast of harassment, issuing a call for an apology through social media.
The cancellation at the Kennedy Center thrusts Hamilton back into the spotlight amid a larger conversation about the intersection of politics and the arts, as well as escalating tensions between the creative community and the Trump administration.
