A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must compensate jazz artist Chuck Redd with over $250,000 in legal fees. This decision follows the dismissal of the center’s lawsuit against Redd for breach of contract by Judge Tanya Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court.
In 2025, Redd, a renowned American drummer and vibraphonist, withdrew from his long-held position as the host of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve concert in protest of the controversial addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building’s exterior. Redd’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, emphasized that defending against politically motivated lawsuits by the Trump Administration should not burden any citizen.
For years, Redd had been a fixture at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts. However, he pulled out of the event last year shortly after Trump’s name was affixed to the building. In response, the center threatened legal action against Redd, citing financial damages due to his last-minute withdrawal.
The legal dispute culminated in Judge Bosier dismissing the center’s lawsuit, citing a lack of a valid breach of contract claim. In a separate ruling, a federal judge declared the addition of Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center illegal, stemming from conflicts initiated when Trump assumed control of the center by dismissing key officials.
In the wake of these events, various figures in the arts and culture industry have distanced themselves from the center or canceled appearances. The Kennedy Center has since removed Trump’s name from its facade, as confirmed by the institution in June.
Moving forward, the Kennedy Center plans to challenge the court’s decision, while Redd’s legal team has expressed approval of the judge’s ruling, characterizing the center’s lawsuit as an attempt to stifle opposition to the unauthorized name change. 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 a prominent cultural institution in Washington.