The president of Washington's prestigious Kennedy Center has launched a fierce attack on a musician who pulled out of a Christmas Eve performance, after the venue was renamed to include former President Donald Trump's name.
A Costly Cancellation and a $1 Million Threat
In a letter shared with The Associated Press, the centre's president, Richard Grenell, accused drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd of "classic intolerance" for his last-minute withdrawal. Grenell stated he would seek $1 million in damages for what he termed a "political stunt." The cancellation left the non-profit arts institution facing significant costs for the abandoned Christmas Eve show.
Redd, who has led the holiday "Jazz Jams" at the venue since 2006, confirmed his decision in an email to the AP on Wednesday. "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 explained. The performance was scheduled for 24 December 2025.
Legal Questions Over the Renaming
The controversy stems from a White House announcement that Trump's name would be added to the facility, a move reportedly approved by a board handpicked by the former president. However, this action has sparked immediate legal challenges.
The centre was established by Congress in 1964 as a living memorial to the assassinated President John F. Kennedy. The law 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. Legal scholars have stated the renaming violates this statute.
Political Fallout and Future Challenges
The decision has ignited a political firestorm. Kennedy's niece, Kerry Kennedy, has vowed to remove Trump's name once he leaves office. Former House historian Ray Smock is among experts noting that any permanent changes would require Congressional approval, not just a board decision.
Grenell's letter, dated Friday 26 December 2025, framed the renaming as honouring "President Trump's extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure." Yet, the musician's protest and the ensuing legal debate highlight a deep cultural and political divide over the legacy of the arts centre. As of now, Redd has not publicly responded to the threat of legal action and the demand for substantial financial compensation.
