Why is the Washington National Opera leaving the Kennedy Center? Bill Madden says it's the "most consequential artistic rebuke to date"

Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center.

The opera has operated out of the Kennedy Center since 1971 until the announcement of its departure from it. The opera announced its departure from the Center on January 9, 2026, stating:

"Today, the Washington National Opera announced its decision to seek an amicable early termination of its affiliation agreement with the Kennedy Center and resume operations as a fully independent nonprofit entity."

A spokesperson for the opera has also stated that the departure is due to the new financial policy of the Center, which requires productions held at the Center to be fully funded before their start, as well as the reduction in the support provided by the Center towards productions. The spokesperson stated:

"Opera companies typically cover only 30-60% of costs through ticket sales, with the remainder from grants and donations that cannot be secured years ahead when productions must be planned."

The Opera leaving the Kennedy Center has drawn the attention of Bill Madden, who wasted no time in speaking up about it in an X post. Bill Madden called it the most consequential artistic rebuke to date, saying:

"Holy sh*t! In the biggest 'F**K YOU' yet to America's pedophile führer from a regular performer, the Washington National Opera is leaving the Kennedy Center where it has performed since 1971."

Madden continued:

"This is the most consequential artistic rebuke to date of the psychotic shitstain's campaign to remake the Kennedy Center in his fascist authoritarian image. At this point, it would not be inaccurate to say Trump has destroyed the Kennedy Center."

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The Kennedy Center, now renamed the Kennedy Trump Center, has also released a statement regarding the termination of its association with the opera:

"After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with the WNO due to a financially challenging relationship. We believe this represents the best path forward for both organizations and enables us to make responsible choices that support the financial stability and long-term future of the Trump Kennedy Center."

Washington National Opera and Kennedy Center were being boycotted

Previously, the Washington National Opera artistic director Francesca Zambello had informed the publication Guardian that there was a likelihood of such a departure due to the Trump takeover of the Kennedy Center and the policies instituted since then.

Zambello revealed that members of the audience were boycotting the Center and, therefore, the Opera due to the takeover by Donald Trump, with many sending direct messages to her regarding the same.

She also revealed that audience figures had dropped to 60% of capacity since the takeover in relation to the center, and that the new management has questioned the policy of casting half of any production with non white POC members. There have also been questions regarding the payment of fees to the singers used by the Opera.

The Washington National Opera is not the first organisation to withdraw its programming from the Kennedy Center. Soprano Renée Fleming stepped down from her role as artistic advisor, and Ben Folds also resigned from the position of the National Symphony Orchestra overseen by the Center.

The Low Cut Connie, a Philadelphia-based band, has canceled their shows at the center, alongside singer Rhiannon Giddens. Issie Rae also canceled her appearance at the center, while Lin-Manuel Miranda canceled her scheduled revival of Hamilton at the center.

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Edited by Nimisha