The Kennedy Center's interim president, Richard Grenell, who is also a special envoy for Trump, said Monday night in a statement on X that the artists canceling shows "were booked by the previous far left leadership. Their actions prove that the previous team was more concerned about booking far left political activists rather than artists willing to perform for everyone regardless of their political beliefs. Boycotting the Arts to show you support the Arts is a form of derangement syndrome."

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One of the first musicians to cancel a performance in the wake of the board's vote was jazz musician Chuck Redd, who called off his Christmas Eve concert at the center, where had presided over the annual event for nearly 20 years. Redd told The Associated Press that he was canceling the concert as a result of the name change.

In a letter to Redd, which the Kennedy Center shared with NBC News, Grenell, threatened to sue him for $1 million, calling his decision to back out a "political stunt."

In a statement Saturday, Kennedy Center spokesperson Roma Daravi said, "Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn't courageous or principled"they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people."

Bill Burr would be so proud of Grenell and Daravi.