Kennedy Center President Criticizes Musician for Canceling Concert Over Name Change
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell criticizes musician Chuck Redd for canceling a Christmas Eve concert in response to the center's renaming to include President Donald Trump's name.
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Musician Chuck Redd canceled the annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center following the institution's decision to add President Donald Trump's name to its title. Redd, who has hosted the event since 2006, stated, "When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert."
In response, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell criticized Redd's decision, describing it as "classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution." Grenell further stated, "This is your official notice that we will seek $1 million in damages from you for this political stunt."
The renaming of the Kennedy Center to include President Trump's name has sparked controversy. Legal scholars and members of the Kennedy family argue that the change violates federal law, which designates the center as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy. Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a lawsuit asserting that an act of Congress is required to change the name.
Source
The New York TimesFact-checking
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