• Issa Rae cancels her sold-out show at the Kennedy Center due to Trump's influential takeover.
• Rae cited "infringement on values" as her reason for the cancellation in a social media post.
• Several high-profile artists, including Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds, have resigned in protest against Trump's new leadership at the venue.

Award-winning actress and creator Issa Rae has made headlines by canceling her highly anticipated show at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, originally scheduled for March 16. Rae, known for her impactful work on HBO's "Insecure," announced her decision through an Instagram post, stating that it stemmed from “an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums.” She expressed gratitude to her fans for the sold-out event and confirmed that ticket refunds would be issued swiftly.

The cancellation follows a rapid overhaul at the Kennedy Center orchestrated by President Donald Trump, who recently fired numerous members of the previous board, all appointed by former President Joe Biden. This dramatic change reshaped the board, replacing it with Trump loyalists, and led to Trump himself being appointed as chairman. His election sparked controversy, particularly regarding the center's future direction concerning artistic programming [HuffPost].

Rae isn't alone in her opposition; prominent cultural figures have begun distancing themselves from the center. Notably, Emmy-winning showrunner Shonda Rhimes announced her resignation as treasurer. Singer-songwriter Ben Folds also stepped down from his role as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, stating, “Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” a decision that was echoed by several others [New York Times].

The recent changes have provoked anxiety in the arts community, with many fearing that Trump's leadership could pave the way for shifts away from progressive and diverse programming. As Rae indicated, the heart of the matter lies in her belief that the Kennedy Center should remain a space that honors and uplifts artists from all walks of life [Newsweek].

As the fallout continues, it remains uncertain how Trump's approach will impact not only the Kennedy Center but the broader cultural landscape [CBS News].