Artists are cancelling their bookings with the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts ever since Donald Trump put his name in the institution on December 18. The Cookers, a Jazz ensemble scheduled to perform on New Year's Eve, cancelled their show; the group has not presented any specific reason, but has left a cryptic message on its website. However, the drummer of the band told The New York Times that the President getting involved in the renaming of the historic centre was “evidently” a factor.“Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice,” read the message. "Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us. We are not turning away from our audience, and do want to make sure that when we do return to the bandstand, the room is able to celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it."Richard Grenell, the President of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, targeted the left in a social media post, saying that the artists were booked by the left and they preferred political activism more than the art. “Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome,” wrote Grenell.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The artists who are now canceling shows were booked by the previous far left leadership. Their actions prove that the previous team was more concerned about booking far left political activists rather than artists willing to perform for everyone regardless of their political…&mdash; Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/2005844962769064196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Another Jazz musician, Chuck Reed, cancelled a Christmas Eve performance after Trump's name was added to the building's signage. Grenell had threatened $1 million lawsuit for the cancellation of the event. “Your dismal ticket sales and lack of donor support, combined with your last-minute cancellation has cost us considerably. This is your official notice that we will seek $1 million in damages from you for this political stunt,” said Richard Grenell.US President Donald Trump, since his election into office, has dismissed all the board members within a couple of weeks. By February, the new board members elected Trump as the President. White House said that the board voted to rename the centre “because of the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.”

Artists, including jazz ensemble The Cookers, are cancelling shows at the Kennedy Centre following Donald Trump’s controversial renaming of the institution.

Artists are cancelling their bookings with the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts ever since Donald Trump put his name in the institution on December 18. The Cookers, a Jazz ensemble scheduled to perform on New Year's Eve, cancelled their show; the group has not presented any specific reason, but has left a cryptic message on its website. However, the drummer of the band told The New York Times that the President getting involved in the renaming of the historic centre was “evidently” a factor. “Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice,” read the message. "Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us. We are not turning away from our audience, and do want to make sure that when we do return to the bandstand, the room is able to celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it." Richard Grenell, the President of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, targeted the left in a social media post, saying that the artists were booked by the left and they preferred political activism more than the art. “Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome,” wrote Grenell.

Artists, including jazz ensemble The Cookers, are cancelling shows at the Kennedy Centre following Donald Trump’s controversial renaming of the institution.

Artists pull out of Kennedy Centre New Year’s eve show following Trump's renaming

Kennedy Centre: President Donald Trump has moved to rename the Kennedy Center, aiming to honor his legacy by attaching his name to one of the nation's most prominent cultural landmarks. The decision has ignited a fierce debate, with supporters applauding the gesture as a fitting tribute and critics warning that it politicizes a traditionally nonpartisan institution. 

Kennedy Centre: Move to Rename Center After Trump Sparks Controversy 

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 22) announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The president announced from the Oval Office. “Some people refer to it as the TRUMP Kennedy Center, but we are not prepared to do that. Maybe in a week or so,” the president was quoted as saying. The draw will take place on December 5, 2025. The US president was accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino by his side. "It's the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports," the president further added.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/the-league-of-the-new-heroes-why-pkl-season-12-feels-different-1755878814879">The league of the new heroes: Why PKL season 12 feels different?</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">The President announces the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DonaldTrump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FifaWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FifaWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/soiaNBUfmF">pic.twitter.com/soiaNBUfmF</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1958941811709280670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The US president also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be coming to attend the FIFA depending on what happens. Last month, FIFA announced the opening of a new office in Trump Tower, New York City, as part of its ongoing preparations for the 2026 World Cup. "FIFA is a global organisation, and to be truly global, you have to be local — you have to be present everywhere. That’s why we’re here in New York," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. “Today, we’re opening a FIFA office right here in Trump Tower.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ban-on-dream11-will-bcci-stick-or-twist-on-its-partnership-heres-what-we-know-1755874353045">Ban on Dream11: Will BCCI stick or twist on its partnership? Here's what we know</a><h2>How many teams will take part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?</h2>A total of 48 countries will battle it out to lift the prestigious trophy. Argentina are the defending champions after they beat France in the 2022 World Cup in a penalty shoot-out after the match ended 3-3 in regulation time. The tournament will have a total of 104 matches, which will be played across three countries — the USA, Canada and Mexico. Notably, it is for the first time that the FIFA World Cup will be hosted by three countries.<h2>What are the venues for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?</h2><h3>FIFA World Cup 26 Group Stage fixtures</h3>Thursday, 11 June 2026Match 1 - Group A (Mexico #1) – Estadio Azteca Mexico City Match 2 – Group A - Estadio GuadalajaraFriday, 12 June 2026Match 3 - Group B (Canada #1) – Toronto Stadium Match 4 - Group D (USA #1) – Los Angeles StadiumSaturday, 13 June 2026Match 5 – Group C - Boston Stadium Match 6 – Group D - BC Place Vancouver Match 7 – Group C - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 8 – Group B - San Francisco Bay Area StadiumSunday, 14 June 2026Match 9 – Group E - Philadelphia Stadium Match 10 – Group E - Houston Stadium Match 11 – Group F - Dallas Stadium Match 12 – Group F - Estadio MonterreyMonday, 15 June 2026Match 13 – Group H - Miami Stadium Match 14 – Group H - Atlanta Stadium Match 15 – Group G - Los Angeles Stadium Match 16 – Group G - Seattle StadiumTuesday, 16 June 2026Match 17 – Group I - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 18 – Group I - Boston Stadium Match 19 – Group J - Kansas City Stadium Match 20 – Group J - San Francisco Bay Area StadiumWednesday, 17 June 2026Match 21 – Group L - Toronto Stadium Match 22 – Group L - Dallas Stadium Match 23 – Group K - Houston Stadium Match 24 – Group K - Estadio Azteca Mexico CityThursday, 18 June 2026Match 25 – Group A - Atlanta Stadium Match 26 – Group B - Los Angeles Stadium Match 27 - Group B - (Canada #2) – BC Place Vancouver Match 28 - Group A - (Mexico #2) – Estadio GuadalajaraFriday, 19 June 2026Match 29 – Group C - Philadelphia Stadium Match 30 – Group C - Boston Stadium Match 31 – Group D - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium Match 32 - Group D (USA #2) – Seattle StadiumSaturday, 20 June 2026Match 33 – Group E - Toronto Stadium Match 34 – Group E - Kansas City Stadium Match 35 – Group F - Houston Stadium Match 36 – Group F - Estadio MonterreySunday, 21 June 2026Match 37 – Group H - Miami Stadium Match 38 – Group H - Atlanta Stadium Match 39 – Group G - Los Angeles Stadium Match 40 – Group G - BC Place VancouverMonday, 22 June 2026Match 41 – Group I - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 42 – Group I - Philadelphia Stadium Match 43 – Group J - Dallas Stadium Match 44 – Group J - San Francisco Bay Area StadiumTuesday, 23 June 2026Match 45 – Group L - Boston Stadium Match 46 – Group L - Toronto Stadium Match 47 – Group K - Houston Stadium Match 48 – Group K - Estadio GuadalajaraWednesday, 24 June 2026Match 49 – Group C - Miami Stadium Match 50 – Group C - Atlanta Stadium Match 51 - Group B (Canada #3) – BC Place Vancouver Match 52 – Group B - Seattle Stadium Match 53 - Group A - (Mexico #3) – Estadio Azteca Mexico City Match 54 – Group A - Estadio MonterreyThursday, 25 June 2026Match 55 – Group E - Philadelphia Stadium Match 56 – Group E - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 57 – Group F - Dallas Stadium Match 58 – Group F - Kansas City Stadium Match 59 - Group D - (USA #3) – Los Angeles Stadium Match 60 – Group D - San Francisco Bay Area StadiumFriday, 26 June 2026Match 61 – Group I - Boston Stadium Match 62 – Group I - Toronto Stadium Match 63 – Group G - Seattle Stadium Match 64 – Group G - BC Place Vancouver Match 65 – Group H - Houston Stadium Match 66 – Group H - Estadio GuadalajaraSaturday, 27 June 2026Match 67 – Group L - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 68 – Group L - Philadelphia Stadium Match 69 – Group J - Kansas City Stadium Match 70 – Group J - Dallas Stadium Match 71 – Group K - Miami Stadium Match 72 – Group K - Atlanta Stadium<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 – Round of 32 fixtures</h2>Sunday, 28 June 2026Match 73 – Group A runners-up v Group B runners-up - Los Angeles StadiumMonday, 29 June 2026Match 74 – Group E winners v Group A/B/C/D/F third place - Boston Stadium Match 75 – Group F winners v Group C runners-up - Estadio Monterrey Match 76 – Group C winners v Group F runners-up - Houston StadiumTuesday, 30 June 2026Match 77 – Group I winners v Group C/D/F/G/H third place - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 78 – Group E runners up v Group I runners-up - Dallas Stadium Match 79 – Group A winners v Group C/E/F/H/I third place - Estadio Azteca Mexico CityWednesday, 1 July 2026Match 80 – Group L winners v Group E/H/I/J/K third place - Atlanta Stadium Match 81 – Group D winners v Group B/E/F/I/J third place - San Francisco Bay Area Stadium Match 82 – Group G winners v Group A/E/H/I/J third place - Seattle StadiumThursday, 2 July 2026Match 83 – Group K runners-up v Group L runners-up - Toronto Stadium Match 84 – Group H winners v Group J runners-up - Los Angeles Stadium Match 85 – Group B winners v Group E/F/G/I/J third place - BC Place VancouverFriday, 3 July 2026Match 86 – Group J winners v Group H runners-up - Miami Stadium Match 87 – Group K winners v Group D/E/I/J/L third place - Kansas City Stadium Match 88 – Group D runners-up v Group G runners-up - Dallas Stadium<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 Round of 16 fixtures</h2>Saturday, 4 July 2026Match 89 – Winner match 74 v Winner match 77 - Philadelphia Stadium Match 90 – Winner match 73 v Winner match 75 - Houston StadiumSunday, 5 July 2026Match 91 – Winner match 76 v Winner match 78 - New York New Jersey Stadium Match 92 – Winner match 79 v Winner match 80 - Estadio Azteca Mexico CityMonday, 6 July 2026Match 93 – Winner match 83 v Winner match 84 - Dallas Stadium Match 94 – Winner match 81 v Winner match 82 - Seattle StadiumTuesday, 7 July 2026Match 95 – Winner match 86 v Winner match 88 - Atlanta Stadium Match 96 – Winner match 85 v Winner match 87 - BC Place Vancouver<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 quarter-final fixtures</h2>Thursday, 9 July 2026Match 97 – Winner match 89 v Winner match 90 - Boston StadiumFriday, 10 July 2026Match 98 – Winner match 93 v Winner match 94 - Los Angeles StadiumSaturday, 11 July 2026Match 99 – Winner match 91 v Winner match 92 - Miami Stadium Match 100 – Winner match 95 v Winner match 96 - Kansas City Stadium<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 semi-final fixtures</h2>Tuesday, 14 July 2026Match 101 – Winner match 97 v Winner match 98 - Dallas StadiumWednesday, 15 July 2026Match 102 – Winner match 99 v Winner match 100 - Atlanta Stadium<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 bronze final</h2>Saturday, 18 July 2026Match 103 – Loser match 101 v Loser match 102 - Miami Stadium<h2>FIFA World Cup 26 Final</h2>Sunday, 19 July 2026Match 104 – Winner match 101 v Winner match 102 - New York New Jersey Stadium

2026 FIFA World Cup draw to take place at Kennedy Centre says US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Friday (August 22) announced that the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. The president announced from the Oval Office. “Some people refer to it as the TRUMP Kennedy Center, but we are not prepared to do that. Maybe in a week or so,” the president was quoted as saying. The draw will take place on December 5, 2025. The US president was accompanied by FIFA President Gianni Infantino by his side. "It's the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports," the president further added. Also Read: The league of the new heroes: Why PKL season 12 feels different?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The mega tournament will be hosted in 16 cities with a total of 48 teams participating&nbsp;

'2026 FIFA World Cup draw to take place at Kennedy Center', says US President Donald Trump

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Artists pull out of Kennedy Centre New Year’s eve show following Trump's renaming

Kennedy Centre: Move to Rename Center After Trump Sparks Controversy

'2026 FIFA WC draw to take place at Kennedy Center', says Trump from Oval Office