A judge in Washington has ruled that the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts must compensate jazz artist Chuck Redd with over $250,000 US for legal fees. This decision follows the dismissal of the center’s lawsuit against Redd for breach of contract. 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 Christmas Eve concert due to the controversial addition of Donald Trump’s name to the building’s exterior.
Redd’s lawyer, Lisa J. Banks, stated to CBC News that the lawsuits filed by the Trump Administration were baseless and politically motivated. Redd, who had been a regular performer at the center’s Christmas Eve concerts, opted out of the event last year after Trump’s name was displayed on the building. The center threatened to sue Redd for withdrawing from the concert, citing it as intolerant and costly to the non-profit organization. However, the lawsuit was later dismissed by a Washington judge for lacking a valid breach of contract claim.
A federal judge ruled in May that the inclusion of Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center was unauthorized. This ruling was part of a series of events that began when Trump took charge of the center and dismissed its longtime chair. Since then, numerous figures in the arts and culture scene have distanced themselves from the center, including prominent individuals like Canadian Author Louise Penny, Shonda Rimes, and Issa Rae.
The Kennedy Center confirmed that Trump’s name has been removed from the facade, with workers taking down the letters. The center plans to appeal the decision regarding the name change, while Redd’s lawyers supported the judge’s ruling, stating that the center’s lawsuit was an attempt to stifle opposition to the unauthorized renaming. The Kennedy Center, known for hosting over 2,000 events annually and housing the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera, remains a significant cultural institution in Washington.