“Normalize Doing This”: Issa Rae’s Decision To Cancel Her Kennedy Center Event Over Trump’s Chairmanship Is Resonating Loudly
Put some respect on Issa’s name.
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Issa Rae is standing on business, and quite frankly, her business is doing well whether or not you subscribe to it.
The Insecure star canceled her previously scheduled sold-out show at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts following news of the newly elected chairperson.
On Feb 12., President Trump made good on a pledge from earlier this month and ousted 18 members of the Kennedy Center’s board, replacing them with Trump-loyalists that appointed him the chairman “effective immediately.”
The fallout was swift, with Shonda Rhimes, the producer behind Bridgerton and Grey’s Anatomy, resigning from her treasurer position within hours of Trump’s seizure.
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Musician Ben Folds, an artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra, resigned immediately after Trump’s takeover along with Renée Fleming, who also served as an adviser.
When Issa Rae canceled her sold-out show, An Evening With Issa Rae, it was met immediately with mixed reactions filled with support and a sprinkle of nasty trolls playing on her name.
In her Instagram story Issa wrote, “Thank you so much for selling out the Kennedy Center for ‘An Evening With [Me].'”
“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.”
She also posted a hilarious callback to a famous Flavor of Love episode, just in case anybody was confused about what led to her decision.
Issa included that all tickets would be refunded and thanked her fans for understanding, and for the most part, they truly understood.
“more of this all 2025. i support you issa!” one person wrote.
@aliensgroove / x.com
