Trump-Kennedy Center Hits Jazz Musician With $1M Lawsuit Over Canceled Concert
The Trump-Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is suing jazz musician Chuck Redd for $1 million after he abruptly canceled his annual Christmas Eve concert in protest of the center’s new name honoring President Donald Trump.
In a letter sent by Center President Ric Grenell, Redd was accused of staging a “political stunt” that caused serious financial harm to the institution. The longtime performer backed out just days before the December 24 “Christmas Eve Jazz Jam,” citing his opposition to the center’s renaming from the John F. Kennedy Center to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.
“Your dismal ticket sales and lack of donor support, combined with your last-minute cancellation, has cost us considerably,” Grenell wrote. “This is your official notice that we will seek $1 million in damages from you for this political stunt.”
Redd admitted he canceled the show because of the Trump name change. “When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” he told the Associated Press.
The cancellation prompted sharp criticism from center officials. Spokeswoman Roma Daravi blasted Redd’s move as “selfish” and “intolerant,” arguing that the role of an artist is to perform for all audiences regardless of political disagreements.
“Any artist cancelling their show at the Trump-Kennedy Center over political differences isn’t courageous or principled—they are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist,” Daravi told The Daily Wire.
Grenell echoed that sentiment, accusing Redd of caving to “sad bullying tactics” from the political left.
“This institution remains dedicated to excellence and accessibility for generations to come,” Grenell wrote. “We will not yield to the pressure tactics being directed at us from political performers on our stages.”
The name change followed what Grenell described as Trump’s “extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure.” According to the center’s leadership, Trump’s involvement helped rescue the financially struggling institution and led to record-breaking attendance.
Grenell also claimed that interest in Redd’s performance had been waning, citing poor ticket sales compared to other holiday programming. He contrasted that with the success of the center’s new rooftop jazz venue, the “KC Speakeasy,” which has drawn sold-out crowds and revitalized interest in live jazz performances.
“The contrast between the public’s lack of interest in your show with the success we are experiencing under our new chairman is drastic,” Grenell wrote.
Despite the backlash, the Trump-Kennedy Center continues to see a surge in attendance and interest since its rebranding. Its leadership maintains the institution remains bipartisan and open to all artists — including those who disagree with the name change, as long as they show up to perform.