Broadway’s hit musical Hamilton has canceled its planned 2026 run at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., citing concerns over the institution’s leadership changes under President Donald Trump. Producer Jeffrey Seller announced the decision Wednesday, stating, “Our show simply cannot, in good conscience, participate and be a part of this new culture that is being imposed on the Kennedy Center.”

The Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, previously played the Kennedy Center in 2018 under Trump’s first administration and again in 2022 during Joe Biden’s presidency. It was scheduled to return from March 3 to April 26, 2026, though tickets had not yet gone on sale. Seller emphasized that the decision was not an act against Trump’s administration but a response to the increased partisanship brought to the Kennedy Center following his takeover.

The Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center has been in turmoil since Trump forced out its leadership and installed himself as chair of the board of trustees as part of his broader campaign against “woke” culture. The controversy has led to other cancellations, including actor Issa Rae, musician Rhiannon Giddens, author Louise Penny, and the rock band Low Cut Connie. Singer-songwriter Victoria Clark proceeded with her Feb. 15 performance but made a statement by wearing a T-shirt reading “ANTI TRUMP AF” on stage.

Hamilton has a history of political engagement. In 2016, its cast addressed then-Vice President-elect Mike Pence from the stage, urging the Trump administration to uphold American values and work on behalf of all citizens. The Kennedy Center, funded by government and private donations, remains a cultural landmark, drawing millions annually with its concert hall, opera house, theater, and public performance spaces.