Ben Folds Warns National Symphony Orchestra 'May Not Survive' After Trump's Kennedy Center Takeover
By
Nina Corcoran
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
Ben Folds, former artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra, published an open letter warning that the NSO "may not survive" following President Trump's takeover of the Kennedy Center in 2025. The takeover led to canceled shows, layoffs, internal turmoil, and a temporary renaming to the Trump-Kennedy Center (later reversed by a federal judge). Folds expresses deep concern for the future of both the orchestra and the institution.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe National Symphony Orchestra may not survive this.
The venerated performing arts venue endured canceled shows, rounds of layoffs, internal drama, and eventually a renaming to the Trump-Kennedy Center.
A federal judge ordered Trump's name be removed from the building.
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