A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must compensate jazz musician 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, an American drummer and vibraphonist, withdrew from his longstanding position as the host of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve concert in response to the controversial addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building’s facade. Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, stated that no individual should have to defend against unfounded and politically motivated lawsuits initiated by the Trump Administration.
Having been a regular host and performer at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts, Redd opted out of the event last year after the unveiling of Trump’s name on the building. The Kennedy Center threatened to sue Redd for withdrawing at the last minute, citing intolerance and seeking $1 million in damages. However, the lawsuit was later dismissed by the Washington judge due to the center’s failure to present a valid breach of contract claim.
In related developments, a federal judge ruled in May that Trump’s name was unlawfully added to the Kennedy Center. This ruling stemmed from a series of events triggered when Trump assumed control of the center, leading to the dismissal of longtime chair David Rubinstein.
Since these changes, various figures in the arts and culture sector have distanced themselves from the center or canceled appearances, including Canadian author Louise Penny, Shonda Rhimes, and Issa Rae. The Kennedy Center confirmed the removal of Trump’s name from its facade in June, although a tarp still covered the scaffolding, obscuring the final wording.
The Kennedy Center plans to appeal the judge’s decision, while Redd’s legal team commended 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.