Donald Trump could be doing more than just changing the name of the Kennedy Center. According to several sources, the president is allegedly considering a new requirement for Kennedy Center Honorees to perform at the venue as a condition to accept the annualized award. The new rule, if imposed, would lock comedians, musicians, dancers, and other artists into lengthy residencies at the newly named Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors over the last three years include Billy Crystal, Grateful Dead, George Strait, KISS, and Gloria Gaynor.
Honorees could be required to perform for 10 weeks at Kennedy Center
Trump is allegedly thinking about instating the new work requirement rule at the Kennedy Center as a way to fill the venue’s calendar with top-tier talent, according to several insiders talking to reporter Rob Shuter.
One source explains, “If you want the award, you have to show up and perform for several weeks. This isn’t just a honor — it’s a job. Ten weeks, no excuses. That’s how he gets the talent he wants.”
“It’s unprecedented,” another source said. “The honor comes with strings attached now — perform or forget it.”
Another insider says that enacting the new policy would be a “power move” from the president, admitting that the Kennedy Center has “struggled to get big names to perform.” That said, if imposed, the new rule could cause many potential recipients to decline the award in the future.
The venue’s controversial name change has already caused several artists to cancel their upcoming performances. Jazz musician Chuck Redd, jazz group The Cookers, a dance group headed by Doug Varone, and folk singer Kristy Lee are among the performers who have dropped their scheduled appearances at the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Meanwhile, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel criticized Trump for the low telecast ratings for the Kennedy Center Honors.
