The president of the recently renamed Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts has demanded $1 million in damages from a musician who pulled out of a Christmas Eve performance, accusing him of partisan intolerance and dismal ticket sales.
A Scathing Letter and a $1 Million Demand
Richard Grenell, the interim president of the centre formerly known as the Kennedy Center, sent a blistering letter to jazz drummer Chuck Redd. The correspondence, published by the Associated Press, slammed Redd for his "abrupt cancellation" of the annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam. Grenell accused the musician of withdrawing due to "partisan political reasons" following the institution's controversial renaming.
"Your decision to withdraw at the last moment - explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure - is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution," Grenell wrote. He claimed Redd's action surrendered to "the sad bullying tactics employed by certain elements on the left."
The letter went further, criticising the financial performance of Redd's long-running event. Grenell stated the Jazz Jam had been "lagging considerably" behind other holiday shows and cited "dismal ticket sales and lack of donor support." He concluded by demanding $1 million in damages for the losses incurred.
The Musician's Stance and a Growing Boycott
Chuck Redd, a respected musician who has performed at the venue for decades and toured with legends like Dizzy Gillespie, confirmed to the Associated Press on Christmas Eve that he cancelled specifically because of the name change. "I've been performing at the Kennedy Center since the beginning of my career and I was saddened to see this name change," Redd told CNN.
Redd is not alone in his protest. The leadership overhaul at the centre, which began when Donald Trump became chairman in February, has triggered a wave of departures. High-profile artists including Issa Rae, Peter Wolf, and Lin-Manuel Miranda have cancelled performances. Showrunner Shonda Rhimes resigned from her position as treasurer.
The transformation accelerated after Trump's appointment. Former president Deborah F Rutter was fired and replaced by Grenell, Trump's former ambassador to Germany. Fourteen new board members were announced, including Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Second Lady Usha Vance.
Legal Challenges and a Battle Over Legacy
The decision to add Trump's name to the living memorial for President John F Kennedy has sparked significant legal and historical debate. A law passed after JFK's assassination explicitly designates the centre as a memorial to the late president. Former House historian Ray Smock contends this law prohibits the board from adding another name to the building.
This legal concern has moved to the courts. Ohio Representative Joyce Beatty has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging she was silenced as a board member and prevented from voting on the name change. Grenell dismissed her claim on social media, stating she was a "non-voting ex-officio member."
Despite the controversy, Trump has boasted that his administration "saved" the building and expressed honour at having his name included. The clash between artistic protest, political legacy, and legal precedent ensures the renamed centre will remain a potent symbol of America's cultural divisions.
