Philip Glass Withdraws World Premiere of His Lincoln Symphony from the Kennedy Center
Composer Philip Glass Withdraws Symphony Premiere in Protest of Trump’s Presidency
Philip Glass, the renowned American composer, has decided to pull the world premiere of his latest symphony from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., as a statement against the current administration under Donald Trump.
Statement from Glass
In a public statement released on Tuesday, the 88-year-old composer announced, “After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15, ‘Lincoln,’ from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the symphony.”
Glass further expressed, “Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
A History of Turmoil
The premiere was initially scheduled for June 12 and 13. Glass’s decision follows a period of significant upheaval at the Kennedy Center, which has seen a leadership change instigated by Trump after he commenced his second term in early 2025. This shift involved the installation of a new board of trustees and initiated contentious modifications to the venue’s name and mission.
In December, Trump controversially renamed the prestigious institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center,” coinciding with a wave of cancellations from various artists who have publicly opposed the administration’s policies.
Arts and Politics
Critics argue that the Trump administration’s stance on what it deems “woke” or excessively leftist culture is politicizing the arts, creating an environment that alienates artists. Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, who serves as an ex officio member of the Kennedy Center’s governing board, remarked, “When the brigands took the ship, their first instinct was to loot it for their own benefit and hire their friends.”
The Kennedy Center has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding Glass’s withdrawal and the ongoing changes within the institution.
Public Backlash and Political Climate
Amid these changes, the Trump administration has been facing significant public backlash over a recent incident in which federal agents fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis during a controversial mass deportation campaign. This situation amplifies the ongoing conversations around government policy, public opinion, and civic engagement in the Democratic landscape of America.
