WASHINGTON, D.C. — The court order requires the Kennedy Center to pay the legal fees within 45 days. A Kennedy Center spokesperson stated the organization intends to appeal the decision.

Judge Bosier determined the fee amount after reviewing the records submitted by Redd's legal team. She stated she made a "good faith evaluation of records to exclude hours that are arguably duplicative, excessive, or unnecessary" when determining the legal fees.

The underlying dispute began in December 2025 when Redd canceled his scheduled performance at the Kennedy Center's annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam. Redd canceled the concert after President Donald Trump's name was added to the Kennedy Center's facade. Then-Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell threatened to sue Redd for $1 million in damages on December 31, 2025.

Attorney Lisa J. Banks represented Redd in the case. She said, "The Trump-controlled Kennedy Center tried to silence opposition to its illegal name change by filing a meritless lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd." Banks added, "No citizen should have to spend time and money fending off baseless and politically motivated lawsuits filed by the Trump Administration."

The legal battle occurred alongside broader changes at the institution. In February, President Trump announced he would become chairman of the Kennedy Center and terminated several members of its board of trustees. The Kennedy Center board voted on December 18 to rename the institution to the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

A federal judge halted President Trump's plans to close the Kennedy Center venue for two years for extensive renovations. Another federal judge ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade in May 2026. The name was removed from the facade in June 2026.

Why It Matters

The award of $252,479.70 represents an increase from the $7,500 settlement offer the Kennedy Center extended to Redd in June 2026. The events surrounding the case span from 2005 to 2026, reflecting a long history of legal interactions involving the institution and various parties.

The dismissal under the Anti-SLAPP statute shows the legal protections available to individuals who speak out on matters of public interest in the District of Columbia. The case also intersects with ongoing disputes regarding the governance and naming of the national cultural center.

Timeline

The Kennedy Center sued Chuck Redd for breach of contract in March 2026. A federal judge ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade in May 2026. Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed the Kennedy Center's lawsuit against Chuck Redd in June 2026. She wrote in her June decision that the "Center did not lose any ticket sales as the concert was free, and the entire performance was canceled as a result of multiple artists canceling, so the Center did not incur costs for staff or other performers." The Kennedy Center offered to settle the lawsuit if Chuck Redd paid $7,500 and performed at the 2026 Christmas Eve concert without political commentary on June 30, 2026.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms the Kennedy Center sued Chuck Redd for breach of contract in March 2026. The Kennedy Center offered to settle the lawsuit if Chuck Redd paid $7,500 and performed at the 2026 Christmas Eve concert without political commentary. A federal judge ordered the removal of President Donald Trump's name from the Kennedy Center facade in May 2026.

Judge Tanya Jones Bosier found that Chuck Redd did not sign a contract to perform at the 2025 Christmas Eve concert. The Kennedy Center board voted on December 18 to rename the institution to the Donald J. Trump and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The lawsuit was dismissed under the District of Columbia's Anti-SLAPP statute. PureSource News previously reported that the Kennedy Center Board Seeks Stay of Ruling. In February, President Trump announced he would become chairman of the Kennedy Center and terminated several members of its board of trustees.

How Sources Differ

Lisa J. Banks said, "The Trump-controlled Kennedy Center tried to silence opposition to its illegal name change by filing a meritless lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd." D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs to musician Chuck Redd.

Lisa J. she said, "The Trump-controlled Kennedy Center tried to silence opposition to its illegal name change by filing a meritless lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd." Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier found that the Kennedy Center owes musician Chuck Redd $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs, as stated in the official record of the event.

Lisa J. she said, "The Trump-controlled Kennedy Center tried to silence opposition to its illegal name change by filing a meritless lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd." Then-Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell threatened to sue Chuck Redd for $1 million in damages.

Lisa J. she said, "The Trump-controlled Kennedy Center tried to silence opposition to its illegal name change by filing a meritless lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd." The Kennedy Center offered to settle the lawsuit if Chuck Redd paid $7,500 and performed at the 2026 Christmas Eve concert without political commentary.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs to musician Chuck Redd. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier found that the Kennedy Center owes musician Chuck Redd $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs, as stated in the official record of the event.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs to musician Chuck Redd. Judge Tanya Jones Bosier wrote in her June decision that the "Center did not lose any ticket sales as the concert was free, and the entire performance was canceled as a result of multiple artists canceling, so the Center did not incur costs".

D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs to musician Chuck Redd. Chuck Redd canceled his scheduled performance at the Kennedy Center's annual Christmas Eve Jazz Jam on December 19, 2025.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,479.70 in legal fees and costs to musician Chuck Redd. The Kennedy Center sued Chuck Redd for breach of contract in March 2026.