Actress Issa Rae canceled her sold-out Kennedy Center event after President Trump was named its chairman.
Rae, the creator and director of HBO’s Insecure, explained her decision on Instagram. She said it was due to what she called an "infringement on the values of the institution."
"Unfortunately, due to what I believe to be an infringement on the values of an institution that has faithfully celebrated artists of all backgrounds through all mediums, I've decided to cancel my appearance at this venue," Rae wrote on her Instagram story.
She thanked fans for selling out the show, which had been scheduled for March 16. Rae assured everyone that tickets would be refunded. The Kennedy Center confirmed the event was indeed sold out.
Later, Rae posted a meme mocking Trump, calling him an "ugly a-- b----." This suggested Trump’s changes at the Kennedy Center were the reason behind her decision to cancel.
Trump recently fired several Kennedy Center board members, including its chair, David Rubenstein. He explained on Truth Social that they "do not share [the same] Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture."
Trump also expressed disapproval of some of the Kennedy Center’s recent events. "Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP," he wrote.
The Kennedy Center hosted a drag brunch in October, featuring D.C.’s "most fabulous drag performers." Shortly after, the Center updated its website with a list of new board members, which included several Trump appointees.
The board unanimously elected Trump as chair. His appointment triggered a wave of resignations from other celebrities.
Scandal and Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes resigned as treasurer. Singer Ben Folds also stepped down as the National Symphony Orchestra’s artistic adviser.
In his own Instagram post, Folds said, "Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me."