A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must compensate jazz musician Chuck Redd with over $250,000 US for legal fees. This decision follows the dismissal of the center’s lawsuit against Redd, accusing him of breaching a contract. In 2025, Redd, a renowned American drummer and vibraphonist legally known as Charles, withdrew from his regular role as the host of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve concert. He made this decision in response to the controversial addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building’s marble portico.
Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, stated to CBC News that it is unjust for individuals to have to defend against unfounded and politically motivated lawsuits initiated by the Trump Administration. Redd had been a fixture at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts for years but pulled out of the event last year after Trump’s name was prominently displayed on the building.
The Kennedy Center threatened to sue Redd for withdrawing from the concert, citing intolerance and seeking $1 million US in damages. However, the lawsuit was later dismissed by a Washington judge due to the center’s failure to present a valid breach of contract claim. In a separate ruling, a federal judge declared that the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center was unlawful.
This legal dispute arose following Trump’s changes to the center’s leadership, including the dismissal of David Rubinstein from his position as the long-serving chair. Numerous figures in the arts and culture sphere have distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center or canceled appearances since the controversial renaming. The Kennedy Center has confirmed the removal of Trump’s name from its facade, with ongoing efforts to restore the center’s original name.
The Kennedy Center plans to challenge the recent legal judgment, while Redd’s legal team views the judge’s decision as fitting. The Kennedy Center, a prominent cultural institution hosting over 2,000 events annually, serves as the official home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.