Stars pull out of shows and positions at Kennedy Center after Trump takeover

As a result of the outrage that has ensued since Donald Trump's acquisition of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, various celebrities have withdrawn from engagements or relationships with the venue.

After Joe Biden cleared his appointees from the arts foundation board last week, Trump proceeded to remove them, as MSN reported.

Deborah Rutter was fired as president of the institution and Trump was installed as chair by the newly formed board, which was filled with Trump supporters.

Following this, the board appointed Richard Grenell, who had been Trump's ambassador to Germany in his first term in office, to serve as acting president.

Responses from Stars

As a result, a number of stars have separated from the core group. On Thursday, Insecure's creator and star Issa Rae took to Instagram to announce the cancellation of her one-night-only performance at the Kennedy Center.

In March, the venue was supposed to host the sold-out performance of An Evening with Issa Rae.

“Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I’ve decided to cancel my appearance at this venue,” Rae wrote.

The day before, famous soprano Reneé Fleming said she would be stepping down from her position as the center's artistic adviser.

Trump as Motivation

Trump was not mentioned in the statement by the artistic adviser, but she did have kind words for the recently removed chair, David M. Rubenstein. She said, “Out of respect, I think it right to depart as well.

“I’ve treasured the bipartisan support for this institution as a beacon of America at our best,” she said. I hope the Kennedy Center continues to flourish and serve the passionate and diverse audience in our nation’s capital and across the country.”

Famed TV producer Shonda Rhimes also resigned as the treasurer of the organization, and Ben Folds, said he'd be stepping down as their advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra.

“Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO,” he said in an Instagram “Not for me.”