Washington National Opera to move out of Kennedy Center after Trump ‘takeover’

The Guardian - World NewsEN 1 min read 100% complete by Guardian staffJanuary 10, 2026 at 12:23 AM

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The Washington National Opera (WNO) will relocate its performances from the John F. Kennedy Center after performing there since 1971. The decision, announced Friday, follows Donald Trump's self-appointment as chair of the Kennedy Center in February, which led to changes in the board and leadership. WNO's artistic director, Francesca Zambello, cited a significant drop in ticket sales and donor confidence as contributing factors. Box office revenue has declined, with unsold tickets increasing by 40% compared to pre-Trump levels. Zambello noted that many former patrons are boycotting the Kennedy Center in protest of Trump's involvement.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Hitler 40% New York Times 50% John F Kennedy Center ×280% Francesca Zambello ×385% Washington National Opera ×290% Donald Trump ×395%

Keywords

washington national opera 100% donald trump 90% kennedy center 90% boycott 70% ticket sales 60% artistic director 60% donor confidence 50% cultural institutions 40%