Nothing screams “democracy and inclusivity” quite like canceling an entire Broadway show because you don’t like who’s in charge. That’s exactly what Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller has done, throwing a theatrical tantrum over President Donald Trump’s leadership at The Kennedy Center. Apparently, Trump’s decision to clean house and remove the entrenched elites from the Board of Trustees was just too much for Seller and his pals to handle. So, instead of bringing their self-proclaimed “story of America” to the American people, they’ve decided to take their ball and go home.
In a grandiose rant posted to Hamilton’s official X account, Seller lectured the public about democracy, neutrality, and how “sacred” The Kennedy Center is—before promptly proving that he only believes in those principles when his political allies are in charge. He whined that Trump’s new leadership had somehow “destroyed decades of neutrality” at the institution. Neutrality? Really? This is the same Broadway crowd that turned Hamilton into a political soapbox back in 2016, lecturing Vice President Mike Pence from the stage. But now, suddenly, politics in the arts is unacceptable? Got it.
Seller went on to claim that Hamilton just “cannot, in good conscience, participate” in this new era at The Kennedy Center, making it clear that he and his team simply cannot bear to perform under a Trump-led institution. Never mind that The Kennedy Center is funded by all taxpayers, not just liberal ones. Never mind that Trump’s leadership hasn’t actually changed anything about the venue’s ability to host performances. This isn’t about fairness or neutrality—it’s about punishing Trump, even if it means canceling shows that thousands of people were looking forward to.
Seller also tried to justify the cancellation with a thinly veiled “business decision,” worrying that Trump’s leadership could result in Hamilton being “canceled or renegotiated.” Because, of course, the Trump administration has such a track record of canceling successful businesses and renegotiating contracts at random. This sounds less like a genuine concern and more like an excuse to virtue-signal to the Broadway elite.
A statement from Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller. pic.twitter.com/yTLlrzFAHW
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) March 5, 2025
Fortunately, Ric Grenell, who’s serving as interim Kennedy Center president, wasn’t having any of it. He called out Seller’s decision as a “publicity stunt that will backfire” and reminded everyone that Hamilton’s creators didn’t even bother to notify the Kennedy Center before running to the New York Times to make their big announcement. Grenell also pointed out the obvious: Hamilton and its creators aren’t the tolerant, inclusive voices they pretend to be. If they were, they wouldn’t be throwing a fit over the mere presence of Republicans in the audience.
WOW @RichardGrenell has been appointed as the Interim Executive Director of the Kennedy Center!
Congrats, Ric! pic.twitter.com/tyyEOAwUbR
— Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) February 10, 2025
And Hamilton isn’t alone in its theatrics. Hollywood types have been lining up to resign in protest ever since Trump took charge. Actress Issa Rae backed out of a one-night performance. Shonda Rhimes, best known for turning TV dramas into progressive lectures, resigned as the Kennedy Center’s treasurer. And musician Ben Folds—because, apparently, we were all waiting for his opinion—stepped down as artistic adviser to the National Symphony Orchestra. The message is clear: If Trump has any involvement, they want nothing to do with it.
People are already firing back:
A statement from Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller. pic.twitter.com/yTLlrzFAHW
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) March 5, 2025
I loved Hamilton. It was magical to me.
And now some of that magic is dead because of your pettiness.
It’s clear who is playing politics once again here, and it has nothing to do with the Kennedy Center.
You devalued what you do tremendously, and it’s just sad.
— Chip Franks ❤️ (@ChipFranks) March 6, 2025
I loved Hamilton. It was magical to me.
And now some of that magic is dead because of your pettiness.
It’s clear who is playing politics once again here, and it has nothing to do with the Kennedy Center.
You devalued what you do tremendously, and it’s just sad.
— Chip Franks ❤️ (@ChipFranks) March 6, 2025
This entire meltdown is just another example of how the left operates. They demand unity, civility, and neutrality when they’re in control. But the second conservatives have a say, they throw a tantrum, pack up their toys, and run. The irony, of course, is that Hamilton is a show about the founding fathers—men who built this country on the principles of debate, discourse, and yes, political disagreement. Too bad its creators don’t actually believe in any of that.
