Philip Glass has pulled the world‑premiere of his Symphony No. 15, a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, from the John F Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The 88‑year‑old composer said the center’s current leadership, installed after Donald Trump’s 2025 takeover, is in direct conflict with the symphony’s message. The premiere had been scheduled for 12‑13 June. The decision follows a broader controversy after Trump renamed the venue the “Trump‑Kennedy Center” and cancelled programs by artists opposed to the administration. Glass, a 2018 Kennedy Center Honors laureate, said he feels obliged to withdraw the symphony under its present leadership. The move adds to Washington National Opera’s announcement that it will leave the center. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse has criticised the Trump‑appointed trustees for “looting” the institution. The incident reflects ongoing tensions between cultural institutions and the Trump administration’s political agenda.

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