Leaving Over the Trump Name? National Opera Ends Half-Century Ties With Kennedy Center

A Symbiotic Relationship Since the Center's Opening in 1971
Official Reason: "Reduced Support"
Underlying Cause: The Center's Name Change

The Washington National Opera (WNO), which has maintained a 55-year relationship with the Kennedy Center, a landmark cultural and artistic institution in Washington, D.C., has announced its separation from the center after the recent addition of President Donald Trump's name to the venue.

According to the Associated Press and other outlets, on January 9 (local time), the WNO stated in a press release, "We have amicably agreed to terminate our affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center early and will operate as a fully independent nonprofit organization." Since the Kennedy Center opened in 1971, the WNO has called it home, maintaining a steadfast partnership for over half a century.

Opera House inside the Kennedy Center in Washington, USA. Photo by UPI Yonhap News.

Going forward, the WNO plans to reduce the number of spring season performances and relocate to a new venue in order to establish a stable financial foundation. The new venue where the WNO will be based is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

A spokesperson for the Trump Kennedy Center also confirmed the termination of the contract with the WNO. The spokesperson stated, "Due to financial difficulties, we made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO," adding, "This allows us to make responsible choices for the center's long-term future and financial stability." The WNO officially attributed the decision to the Kennedy Center's change in business model and reduction in financial support.

The new business model at the Trump Kennedy Center requires securing the full production costs for every performance in advance. However, this approach is incompatible with the way opera companies operate. In its statement, the WNO explained, "Opera companies typically cover 30 to 60 percent of their operating expenses through ticket sales, with the remainder coming from grants and donations. Production plans are made years in advance, making it difficult to secure all necessary funds at the time of planning."

Contrary to the WNO's explanation, The Washington Post reported that the decisive reason for the termination of the agreement was the recent renaming of the Kennedy Center to the 'Trump Kennedy Center.'

The Kennedy Center, recently renamed the Trump Kennedy Center. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

An anonymous source told The Washington Post that concerns about contract termination arose after President Trump "self-appointed" himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center in February last year, and that the board's decision to change the center's name last month became the catalyst for the split with the WNO. The source added, "Since President Trump became involved in the center's operations, both audience numbers and donations have declined. In a situation where artists cannot be engaged and tickets are not selling, it is impossible to expect support."

Meanwhile, after President Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center, prominent figures in the arts and culture community have canceled scheduled performances in protest of the renaming.

Vibraphonist Chuck Redd and the jazz septet 'Cookers,' among others, canceled their Christmas and New Year's Eve performances last month. The Cookers stated, "We are committed to performances that transcend division, rather than deepen it," indirectly criticizing the decision to change the center's name. In addition, trumpet player Wayne Tucker, who was scheduled to perform on the 22nd, abruptly canceled his performance on January 2.