Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musician Pulls Out of Kennedy Center Gig in Protest of Trump Takeover

Pulitzer-prize-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens is the most recent artist to cancel an appearance at the Kennedy Center over President Trump's takeover of the organization.

"The Kennedy Center show was booked long before the current administration decided to take over this previously bipartisan institution, but I cannot in good conscience play at The Kennedy Center with the change in programming direction forced on the institution by this new board," Giddens stated on Instagram.

"I will say here that I don't judge anyone for choosing to go on with their shows; it's a highly difficult situation for artists right now and everyone has to do what makes the most sense for them in the moment," she stated.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been in turmoil since President Donald Trump made a number of changes.

Trump overhauled the center's board of trustees. The new board promptly elected Trump its chairman, the Washington Post reported. Trump also fired president Deborah F. Rutter and made former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell interim president of the organization.

In the aftermath of the changes, the center saw ticket sales initially plummet by 50%. The center canceled performances by the touring children's musical "Finn." Also canceled was a planned concert featuring the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. Trump stated the changes at the Kennedy Center were part of his fight against "woke" culture, ABC News reported.

Actress and comedian Issa Rae withdrew, and Canadian mystery novelist Louise Penny said that she was supposed to launch her new novel "The Black Wolf" at the center but changed her mind amidst the changes, the Post reported.

Other changes include the resignations of prominent board members, such as famed TV producer Shonda Rhimes, who quit as treasurer. Rhimes is probably best known for the long-running show "Grey's Anatomy."

Giddens stated that tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. She said the concert was being moved to The Anthem and that tickets were now on sale.

"Let's make this a huge celebration for all of us who need joy and inclusion to feel human. We would love to see you! Same day, same time, and just down the street," she wrote.