Kennedy Center MAGA Lineup Includes Drag
President Donald Trump indicates that the Kennedy Center’s 2025-2026 season of shows will be drag-free; however, several of the shows contain gender-bending performances as part of their production, according to Them.
“Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns. “The Kennedy Center is an American Jewel, and must reflect the brightest STARS on its stage from all across our Nation. For the Kennedy Center, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!”
The venue, known at the Nation’s Cultural Center for performance art in Washington, D.C., will host productions including Chicago (featuring the character Mary Sunshine, a man in drag), Mrs. Doubtfire (whose lead is a man dressing as a woman), and Moulin Rouge (with drag character Baby Doll) according to The New York Times. Spamalot also features some drag bits (calling to the practice of male actors dressing up as women) according to The Daily Beast.
It’s not unusual for drag to play a central role in performance art; however, the hypocrisy is worth highlighting, as Trump appointed himself the chair after firing members of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees, citing their hosting of drag shows as one of the reasons for his decision.
“At my direction, we are going to make the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., GREAT AGAIN,” wrote Trump on Truth Social, the social media platform he owns. “I have decided to immediately terminate multiple individuals from the Board of Trustees, including the Chairman, who do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture. We will soon announce a new Board, with an amazing Chairman, DONALD J. TRUMP!”
The team behind Hamilton, the acclaimed musical, have cancelled their planned 2026 run at the Kennedy Center due to Trump’s announcement. Other performers including Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens, a Pulitzer Prize-winning folk musician, have cancelled appearances at the venue as well.
Photos courtesy DEPO
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