The president of Washington's Kennedy Center has threatened to sue a veteran musician for one million dollars after he cancelled a Christmas Eve performance in protest at the venue being renamed to include Donald Trump's name.
Legal Threat Over "Political Stunt"
Richard Grenell, the centre's president, sent a strongly-worded letter to drummer and vibraphone player Chuck Redd. Grenell condemned Redd's decision to withdraw from the scheduled performance, labelling it a "political stunt" and "classic intolerance." He argued the cancellation was explicitly in response to the Center's renaming, which he said honours "President Trump's extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure." Grenell stated the last-minute pullout was "very costly to a non-profit Arts institution" and that he would pursue $1 million in damages.
Musician's Protest Against Renaming
Chuck Redd, who has presided over the holiday "Jazz Jams" at the Kennedy Center since 2006, confirmed in an email on Wednesday that he pulled out of the concert following the renaming. "When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert," Redd said. The performance was scheduled for 24 December 2025.
The renaming has sparked significant controversy. The performing arts centre was established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Congress passed a law the following year enshrining this status. Legal scholars and historians, including former House historian Ray Smock, contend that the Trump-appointed board's decision to add Trump's name to the building violates that law. The statute explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the centre a memorial to anyone else or from placing another person's name on the building's exterior.
Broader Backlash and Legal Challenges
The White House has stated that Trump's handpicked board approved the change. However, the move has been met with firm opposition. Kerry Kennedy, a niece of JFK, has vowed to remove Trump's name from the building once he leaves office. The situation sets the stage for a potential legal and political battle over the legacy of the iconic institution, intertwining issues of artistic expression, political endorsement, and legislative authority.
As of now, Chuck Redd has not publicly responded to the legal threat or requests for further comment. The dispute highlights the deepening cultural divisions surrounding Trump's legacy and the institutions caught in the crossfire.
