Emmy-Winning Comedian Alex Edelman Says Loss Of Kennedy Center Is No Joke
News Source
β’Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:03:25 +0000
π° What Happened
Comedian Alex Edelman says the Kennedy Center in Washington is no longer a place for most comics. He wrote about it in a guest column for the New York Times.
Edelman says only three headline comedians played there this year. He says all of them have supported President Donald Trump. For him, performing there now would feel like taking a political side.
Edelman won an Emmy for his HBO special Just For Us. He also won a Tony for the Broadway version of the show.
π The Backstory
The Kennedy Center is a national arts venue named after President John F. Kennedy. It opened in 1971 and hosts music, dance and theatre.
In 2025, Trump took control of the centre and replaced board members chosen by earlier presidents. Artists began cancelling shows, and ticket sales fell.
This month, the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was moved to Capital One Arena. It is the first time in its history it will be held somewhere else. Trump has said the building needs repairs and should carry his name.
π― Why It Matters
A famous stage becoming political affects what art people can see. It also shows how politics can reach into everyday culture.
Comedian Alex Edelman says the Kennedy Center in Washington is no longer a place for most comics. He wrote about it in a guest column for the New York Times.
Edelman says only three headline comedians played there this year. He says all of them have supported President Donald Trump. For him, performing there now would feel like taking a political side.
Edelman won an Emmy for his HBO special Just For Us. He also won a Tony for the Broadway version of the show.
The Kennedy Center is a national arts venue named after President John F. Kennedy. It opened in 1971 and hosts music, dance and theatre.
In 2025, Trump took control of the centre and replaced board members chosen by earlier presidents. Artists began cancelling shows, and ticket sales fell.
This month, the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony was moved to Capital One Arena. It is the first time in its history it will be held somewhere else. Trump has said the building needs repairs and should carry his name.
A famous stage becoming political affects what art people can see. It also shows how politics can reach into everyday culture.