When President Donald J. Trump assumed control of the Kennedy Center in 2025, Ben Folds was among the first to step down from his role as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). The months that followed were marked by significant instability, including canceled performances, widespread layoffs, and internal organizational strife, culminating in the controversial renaming of the venue to the Trump-Kennedy Center. Although a federal judge recently mandated the removal of the former president’s name from the building, the institution remains in a precarious state.
In a recent open letter, Folds expressed deep concern regarding the survival of the NSO. He emphasized that the orchestra is currently facing an existential threat, noting that there is “no plan or solution in sight” to ensure its future. Folds urged the public to rally behind the ensemble, arguing that a significant outpouring of support is the only viable path to reversing the current trajectory.
The logistical challenges facing the NSO are substantial. Folds highlighted the lack of announced programming for the upcoming season—a departure from industry standards where planning typically occurs 18 months in advance. Furthermore, the orchestra’s operational future is clouded by the uncertainty surrounding the Kennedy Center’s two-year closure and the entanglement of the NSO’s endowment fund with the center’s broader legal and financial difficulties.
While the recent court ruling to restore political independence to the Kennedy Center is a positive development, Folds cautioned against premature celebration. He described the path ahead as a “long, messy process” required to return the institution to a state of health. Folds has outlined specific actions for donors, fans, and journalists to help safeguard the future of the orchestra, emphasizing that the time for advocacy is now.
