Kennedy Center Plans Legal Action After Musician Cancels Performance Over Name Change
The Kennedy Center intends to sue jazz musician Chuck Redd for $1 million after he canceled his annual Christmas Eve concert in response to the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the venue.
The Kennedy Center has announced plans to file a $1 million lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd, following his cancellation of the annual Christmas Eve performance. Redd withdrew from the event after the center added President Donald Trump's name to its exterior, renaming it "The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts."
In a letter to Redd, Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell criticized the cancellation, stating it was "classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution." Grenell indicated the center would seek $1 million in damages for what he termed a "political stunt."
Redd, who has hosted the center's Christmas Jazz Jam since 2006, explained his decision: "When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert."
The renaming has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the original 1964 legislation designated the center solely as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, prohibiting additional names without congressional approval. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Joyce Beatty, have filed lawsuits challenging the name change.
Several artists have canceled performances at the Kennedy Center in response to the renaming, including the musical "Hamilton," actor Issa Rae, and folk musician Rhiannon Giddens.