The show must go on: Paul Anka, Andy Garcia lead Kennedy Centre Honours as Trump row forces venue change

Washington, November 3 — The prestigious Kennedy Centre, once a bastion of American arts, has recently shifted its annual Kennedy Centre Honours event to the Capital One Arena. This change comes after the venue was closed since September amid a legal dispute over renovations. The event, one of the United States' most esteemed arts awards, was hosted by singer Paul Anka and actor Andy Garcia, who were among five honourees recognized for their lifetime contributions to the arts.

Joining them were composer and producer David Foster, playwright David Mamet, and musician Barbara Mandrell. The Kennedy Centre, established in 1971 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, has always been a site of bipartisan support. However, under President Donald Trump's tenure, the venue has become a contentious issue.

Trump sought to rename the centre as the Trump-Kennedy Centre and aimed to rid it of what he deemed as "woke political programming." His appointment as the board chairman in February 2025 sparked outrage among artists, with many cancelling concerts at the venue. The Kennedy Centre's ticket sales have reportedly taken a significant hit as a result.