The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been ordered by a Washington judge to compensate jazz musician Chuck Redd with over $250,000 US in legal fees. This ruling follows the dismissal of the centre’s lawsuit against Redd for breach of contract by Judge Tanya Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
In 2025, Charles Redd, an American drummer and vibraphonist, withdrew from his longstanding role as the host of the centre’s annual free Christmas Eve concert in protest of the decision to add Donald Trump’s name to the building’s exterior. Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, stated that the lawsuits filed by the Trump Administration were baseless and politically motivated.
For years, Redd had been hosting and performing at the centre’s Christmas Eve concerts. However, last year, he canceled his appearance shortly before the event due to the addition of Trump’s name to the building. In response, the centre threatened to sue Redd, claiming his withdrawal was intolerant and costly to the non-profit institution.
The lawsuit against Redd was later dismissed by the Washington judge, citing the centre’s failure to present a valid breach of contract claim. This legal action was part of a broader conflict sparked by Trump’s involvement in the centre, which led to the illegal addition of his name to the Kennedy Center.
Since the controversial renaming, several figures in the arts and culture community have distanced themselves from the centre or canceled scheduled appearances, including Canadian author Louise Penny, Shonda Rimes, and Issa Rae. The Kennedy Center confirmed the removal of Trump’s name from the facade, with only “The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts” remaining visible.
The centre plans to challenge the ruling, while Redd’s legal team praised the judge’s decision as appropriate. The Kennedy Center, known for hosting over 2,000 events annually and serving as the home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, remains at the center of this ongoing legal and cultural dispute.