The artists refuse to perform at the Kennedy Center because of its connection to Trump and Trump cronies such as Ric Grenell and the political message they send through their management of and messaging through the center (not only in naming it for Trump). They have not refused to perform for particular audiences. Nor are patrons unable to see these artists at other venues, in and out of D.C. They have not even refused to perform for Trump Administration minions, who can buy tickets at those other venues.
Thus, Grenell’s suggestion that these artists are failing in their mission to bring the arts to the public is nonsense. But it represents the apotheosis of MAGA thought:
• Conflating Trump with the country. Artists not wanting to do business with Trump, Grenell, and other authoritarian threats are failing to engage with and perform for The People.
• Defining free speech (and “free speech culture”) as complete freedom, with no pushback, for MAGA speech, speakers, and listeners. This controversy moves the ball from “We can say what we want and any criticism or protest by you constitutes censorship” to “You must utter our preferred views” to “You must perform for us when and where we wish to hear you.” Telling, but not surprising, that we land here.
• Rejecting the idea that any non-MAGA person can have (or act on) sincere moral, political, conscientious, or ideological beliefs. A baker or web designer possesses an inalienable right to deny service to a gay couple because they object to what the couple wishes to do. and should not be criticized for that refusal. But a jazz musician lacks a similar right not to perform for a Trump-affiliated venue. Or, in doing so, the musician acts as an improper “partisan,” rather than on sincere conscience.
This will resolve as a contract issue–and I know neither the details of the contract nor anything about contract law to opine on it. I doubt the damages will run to $ 1 million, as Grenell announced to the world in truly Trumpian style. But I hear Contracts profs writing their final exams as we speak.