A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must pay jazz musician Chuck Redd over $250,000 in legal fees. This decision follows the dismissal of the center’s lawsuit against Redd for breach of contract by the same judge, Tanya Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
In 2025, Redd, a renowned American drummer and vibraphonist, withdrew from his long-standing role as the host of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve concert. This move came in response to the controversial decision by the center to add Donald Trump’s name to the building’s white marble portico. Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, criticized the lawsuit as baseless and politically motivated.
Redd had been a fixture at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts for years but canceled his performance last year following the addition of Trump’s name to the building. The Kennedy Center threatened to sue Redd for his last-minute withdrawal, citing intolerance and seeking $1 million in damages. However, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed by the judge for failing to establish a valid breach of contract claim.
A federal judge ruled in May that the inclusion of Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center was unlawful. This ruling stemmed from a series of changes initiated by Trump, who had removed key figures from the center, including its chairman, citing a difference in vision for the institution.
Since these changes, several prominent figures in the arts and culture sphere have distanced themselves from the Kennedy Center or canceled planned appearances, including Canadian author Louise Penny, Shonda Rimes, and Issa Rae. The center confirmed the removal of Trump’s name from the facade in June, with only “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” remaining visible.
The Kennedy Center plans to appeal the judge’s decision, while Redd’s lawyers support the ruling as appropriate. The institution hosts a multitude of events annually and serves as the official home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.
