A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees to jazz musician Chuck Redd after dismissing the arts center’s lawsuit against him.
The U.S. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ruled on Monday that the Kennedy Center must reimburse Redd for legal costs incurred after he canceled his annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam performance in December 2024. The dismissal came under the district’s anti-SLAPP statute, which protects public interest speech from retaliatory lawsuits.
Kennedy Center to appeal ruling
In a statement, a Kennedy Center spokesperson confirmed the organization’s intention to appeal the decision. The center had previously accused Redd of violating its “morals clause” by canceling the concert and publicly citing the addition of President Donald Trump’s name to the building’s facade as the reason.
Redd, who had hosted the event for nearly 20 years, announced his withdrawal on December 19, 2024, shortly after Trump’s name was affixed to the Kennedy Center. The president’s name was later removed in June 2025 following a federal court ruling that deemed the addition illegal.
Judge cites retaliatory motives
In her June 2025 dismissal of the Kennedy Center’s breach of contract lawsuit, Judge Bosier found the center’s actions amounted to unlawful retaliation against Redd. The judge’s Monday order specified that the awarded legal fees reflected a “good faith evaluation” of Redd’s claims, excluding hours deemed duplicative or excessive.
Redd’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, stated that the ruling was appropriate, asserting that “no citizen should have to spend time and money fending off baseless and politically motivated lawsuits.”
Background: Trump’s influence and legal disputes
The dispute stems from a broader conflict over the Kennedy Center’s leadership and programming. In February 2025, Trump replaced the center’s president, board chair, and board members with allies, leading to significant operational changes. Trump had announced plans to close the Kennedy Center for two years of renovations starting July 5, 2025, though a federal court later ordered an update on construction and programming plans.
The Kennedy Center had sought $1 million in damages from Redd, alleging that his cancellation caused lost goodwill, wasted marketing expenses, and sunk costs. Redd’s legal team countered that the lawsuit was retaliatory, aimed at silencing criticism of the Trump administration’s influence over the arts institution.
Ongoing legal and institutional uncertainty
While the Kennedy Center has vowed to appeal, the ruling underscores tensions between artistic institutions and political oversight. The center’s public programming and educational activities remain suspended amid the legal and administrative turmoil.