Updated, 3 PM ET to include a response from "Trump" Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi. Add Wicked songwriter Stephen Schwartz to the ever-growing list of artists saying "no thanks" to Trump's "Trump"-Kennedy Center. The Broadway legend was set to host the upcoming Washington National Opera Gala at the institution May 16, but has pulled out of the event, Schwartz confirmed to Newsday.

"It no longer represents the apolitical place for free artistic expression it was founded to be," Schwartz told Newsday via an email sent from his assistant. "There's no way I would set foot in it now." Schwartz goes on to share that he was asked to join the event by Washington National Opera Artistic Director and Broadway Little Mermaid director Francesca Zambello, but has heard no further information about it since February 2025, "so I have assumed it's no longer happening. I can't imagine Francesca continuing under the current circumstances. If it is happening, of course I will not be part of it."

In a response statement provided to Playbill, "Trump" Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi shared "Stephen Schwartz was never discussed nor confirmed and never had a contract by current Trump Kennedy Center leadership. Schwartz said himself that he ‘heard nothing about it since February 2025…assumed it’s no longer happening.’ It is completely false to report otherwise." It should be noted that nothing otherwise has been reported.

The multi-venue organization has been in turmoil since President Trump transformed the formerly bipartisan institution into being under his sole control, installing himself as chairman and replacing the board with hand-picked supporters in the early days of his most recent presidential term. In the wake of the politicization of the venue, numerous events and artists have canceled scheduled performances, notably including the national tour of Best Musical winner Hamilton and the American College Theatre Festival. The stunt has led to a reported 30 percent drop in ticket sales, and a Trump-hosted Kennedy Center Honors broadcast that made history with the smallest viewership over the telecast's 48 annual offerings so far.

The official website has already changed its header to read "The Trump Kennedy Center," though the URL remains Kennedy-Center.org. The legality of the name change remains disputed, and may require congressional approval to become official.