A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must compensate jazz musician Chuck Redd with over $250,000 in legal fees. The decision follows the dismissal of the center’s lawsuit against Redd for breach of contract by Judge Tanya Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
In 2025, Redd, a renowned American drummer and vibraphonist, withdrew from his annual role as host of the center’s free Christmas Eve concert in protest of the addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building. Redd’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, stated, “No citizen should have to endure unfounded and politically motivated lawsuits initiated by the Trump Administration.”
Having been a fixture at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts for years, Redd pulled out of the event last year shortly after Trump’s name was affixed to the building’s facade. The Kennedy Center threatened legal action against Redd, seeking $1 million in damages for his abrupt withdrawal. However, the lawsuit was later dismissed by the judge due to the center’s failure to present a valid breach of contract claim.
A federal judge ruled in May that the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center was unauthorized. This ruling stemmed from tensions that arose when Trump assumed control of the center, resulting in the dismissal of long-time chair David Rubinstein. Several prominent figures in the arts and culture sphere have distanced themselves from the center or canceled appearances since the controversial renaming.
The Kennedy Center has confirmed the removal of Trump’s name from its facade, with only “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” remaining visible. The center plans to appeal the court’s decision, while Redd’s legal team commended the judge’s ruling as appropriate. The Kennedy Center, known for hosting over 2,000 events annually and housing the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, is a significant cultural institution in Washington.