Court Orders Kennedy Center to Compensate Musician Chuck Redd

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. has mandated the Kennedy Center to compensate musician Chuck Redd with $250,000 for legal costs. This decision follows a lawsuit the arts center filed against Redd after he canceled a Christmas Eve concert once President Donald Trump’s name was added to the building’s facade.

Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed the case in June, citing unlawful retaliation against Redd. In a recent order, Bosier clarified that she carefully reviewed records to exclude any legal fee hours that might be redundant or unnecessary. As a result, the Kennedy Center is liable for $252,479.70 in legal fees, payable to Redd within 45 days.

A spokesperson for the Kennedy Center expressed intentions to appeal the decision. Meanwhile, Redd’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, stated that the lawsuit was a baseless attempt by the Trump-controlled Kennedy Center to suppress dissent regarding its illegal name change. She emphasized that the penalty is fitting to prevent citizens from enduring politically motivated lawsuits.

Initially slated for hosting the center’s annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam on December 24, 2025, Redd withdrew on December 19 after Trump’s name appeared on the facade. In June, the president’s name was removed after it was deemed illegally added by a board member.

The Kennedy Center had accused Redd of breaching its morals clause after he publicly shared his reasons for the withdrawal. The center alleged that Redd’s actions aimed to misuse the platform provided by the center to make a political statement, thereby depriving the public of the concert.

The center claimed damages from lost goodwill with the public, wasted marketing resources, and expenses related to the canceled concert. Richard Grenell, then-president of the facility, initially threatened a $1 million lawsuit against Redd. The center later proposed a settlement of $7,500, which Redd rejected.

Redd argued the concert was free and noted his timely cancellation allowed the center an opportunity to find a replacement. He maintained he had not signed a contract, asserting his targeting by the center was due to speaking on matters of public interest. The judge agreed, highlighting Redd was among several artists scheduled for a show that did not proceed and was the only one sued despite others also canceling. No costs were incurred from ticket sales since the concert was free and canceled due to multiple artist withdrawals.