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. The 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 also known as Charles, withdrew from his long-standing role as host of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve concert. This move was in protest of the center’s controversial decision to include Donald Trump’s name on the building’s exterior.
Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, stated, “No individual should have to endure the burden of defending against unfounded and politically motivated lawsuits brought by the Trump Administration.”
For years, Redd had been hosting and performing at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts. However, he pulled out of the event last year shortly after Trump’s name was displayed on the building. The center then threatened to sue Redd for withdrawing at the last minute, citing intolerance and seeking $1 million in damages. The lawsuit was later dismissed by the Washington judge due to the lack of a valid breach of contract claim.
A federal judge ruled in May that Trump’s name had been unlawfully added to the Kennedy Center. This ruling was part of an ongoing conflict that began when Trump dismissed long-time Kennedy Center chair David Rubinstein in February.
After the change in leadership, various figures in the arts and culture sphere distanced themselves from the center or canceled their 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.
The Kennedy Center plans to appeal the decision regarding Trump’s name removal. Meanwhile, Redd’s legal team supported the judge’s ruling as “appropriate,” criticizing the center’s attempt to stifle opposition to the name change through a baseless lawsuit.
As a prominent cultural institution, the Kennedy Center hosts over 2,000 events annually and serves as the official home of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera.