• Philip Glass cancels the premiere of his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” at the Kennedy Center.
• Glass cites a conflict between the symphony's values and the center's new leadership under Trump.
• The Kennedy Center, recently renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, is facing significant artist backlash.
• This decision adds to a growing list of cancellations by prominent artists since Trump's takeover.

Renowned composer Philip Glass has withdrawn his upcoming Symphony No. 15, titled "Lincoln," from the Kennedy Center, indicating that the values of the performance venue now conflict with the symphony's message. Glass stated, "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," elaborating that he feels an obligation to pull the premiere under the current leadership. This decision has drawn significant attention as it reflects his stance against the political changes at the institution since its management shifted to align with President Donald Trump, according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Since Trump's appointment as board chair, numerous artists have chosen to cancel their scheduled performances, citing the administration's conservative influence on the arts. The Kennedy Center's recent renaming as the "Trump-Kennedy Center" has drawn outrage from various quarters, including members of the Kennedy family, who argue that the change is unconstitutional without legislative approval. The National Symphony Orchestra, which had commissioned Glass's work, expressed surprise at being notified about his decision via media rather than directly, as reported by Le Monde and CBS News.

The fallout from Trump’s leadership restructuring has led to significant upheaval within the artistic community, with groups like the Washington National Opera, jazz musicians, and other notable performers abandoning the venue amid financial and philosophical disagreements. For instance, artists like actress Issa Rae and the musical Hamilton have also canceled planned events at the Kennedy Center, with many citing political pressures as a key factor in their decisions. Glass's withdrawal adds to this growing list of cancellations and highlights the tumultuous environment for the arts at the center, according to Reuters, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde.