Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of The View and recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, has announced that she will not be attending events at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts following recent leadership changes initiated by President Donald Trump.
Goldberg’s statement comes amid a growing backlash from members of the entertainment and arts community after Trump’s appointment of Richard Grenell as the Kennedy Center’s new president. She made it clear that she has no plans to return to the venue under the new administration, joining a number of other left-wing entertainers who have distanced themselves from the institution.
Following Trump’s leadership overhaul, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, and producer Jeffrey Seller announced that they were withdrawing the show from its scheduled run at the Kennedy Center, citing concerns over what they see as a shift away from the institution’s original mission. Their decision to pull the production has been met with criticism, with many arguing that they are injecting politics into what is meant to be a celebration of the performing arts.
Grenell has publicly pushed back against the boycott efforts, calling them divisive and an attempt to exclude audiences based on political differences. He has stated that the Kennedy Center remains committed to showcasing a wide range of artistic performances, regardless of ideology.
The Kennedy Center, established in 1971, has traditionally served as a nonpartisan institution dedicated to promoting and preserving the performing arts. However, with the left-wing entertainment industry increasingly using cultural spaces as political battlegrounds, Trump’s leadership changes have sparked debate over whether the arts can truly remain separate from politics.
Goldberg’s decision to distance herself from the Kennedy Center is yet another example of Hollywood elites refusing to engage with institutions that don’t align with their political views. While some in the entertainment industry continue to protest, others see this as an opportunity to broaden access to the arts beyond the usual liberal strongholds, ensuring that the Kennedy Center reflects a diverse range of perspectives and performances.
As the Trump administration continues to reshape the institution’s leadership, it remains to be seen whether these high-profile boycotts will have any lasting impact or if the Kennedy Center will move forward, embracing a new era of artistic representation that welcomes all Americans—not just the entertainment elite.