The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is pursuing $1 million in damages from musician Chuck Redd, who cancelled a concert following the venue’s recent name change to include Donald Trump. Redd had been scheduled to perform on December 24, 2023, a concert he has hosted annually since 2006. The decision to rename the center to the “Trump Kennedy Center” was made by the board after Trump appointed new members shortly after taking office.
In a letter addressed to Redd, Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, described the cancellation as a “political stunt” and stated it has caused significant financial repercussions for the organization. Grenell emphasized that Redd’s decision to cancel the performance reflects “classic intolerance” and expressed concern over the impact on the non-profit arts institution.
Redd has not publicly responded to Grenell’s comments. The controversy surrounding the name change intensified following a unanimous board vote to rename the center as The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The announcement prompted immediate backlash from various artists, Democratic lawmakers, and members of the Kennedy family.
Shortly after the decision was made public, work crews began etching Trump’s name onto the center’s façade. The White House claimed the name change reflects Trump’s efforts to renovate the venue. Nevertheless, critics argue that the move undermines the center’s legacy as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
Redd, a drummer and vibraphone player, explained to the Associated Press that he felt compelled to cancel his concert upon seeing the name change on the Kennedy Center’s website and subsequently on the building itself. The Kennedy Center was originally envisioned as a tribute to Kennedy, and some U.S. lawmakers and legal scholars have suggested that the name change might not be legally binding. They argue that, since the center was established by a 1964 act of Congress, an official name change would require congressional approval.
The legal pressure on Redd comes amid a broader political debate surrounding the renaming of the Kennedy Center. Joyce Beatty, a Democratic congresswoman from Ohio, has filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the name change. Beatty contends that the renaming requires “an act of Congress” and asserts that she was muted during a board meeting when she attempted to voice her opposition.
As this situation continues to unfold, the Kennedy Center’s financial and reputational standing may be at stake, as the organization navigates the complex interplay between politics, art, and public sentiment.
