Federal Judge Orders Kennedy Center to Pay Legal Fees to Musician Chuck Redd

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has mandated the Kennedy Center to pay $250,000 in legal fees to musician Chuck Redd after the arts center sued him for canceling a Christmas Eve concert. The decision follows President Donald Trump’s name being added to the building’s facade.

Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed the case in June, citing unlawful retaliation against Redd. She conducted a detailed evaluation of records, eliminating hours deemed duplicative, excessive, or unnecessary. As a result, she ordered the Kennedy Center to pay Redd $252,479.70 for accrued legal fees, payable within 45 days.

The Kennedy Center plans to appeal the ruling, according to a spokesperson. Redd’s attorney, Lisa J. Banks, criticized the lawsuit, claiming it aimed to silence opposition to an illegal name change, labeling the penalty suitable due to the undue burden on citizens opposing baseless lawsuits.

Redd was set to host the center’s Christmas Eve Jazz Jam on December 24, 2025, but withdrew from the free show on December 19 after Trump’s name appeared on the facade. The president’s name was later removed in June after a board member argued against its legality.

The Kennedy Center had accused Redd of violating a morals clause, alleging he used the public forum to make a political statement, which led to public disappointment and financial damages due to the concert’s cancellation. Originally, a lawsuit threat amounted to $1 million, but an offer to settle was later reduced to $7,500.

Redd contended the concert’s free nature and timely cancellation allowed sufficient time for a replacement performer. He had not signed a contract, arguing his outspoken stance on public interest prompted the center’s targeting. The judge agreed, emphasizing Redd was among several artists scheduled for a show that was eventually canceled, leading to no ticket sales loss or costs for staff and performers. Importantly, Redd was the only artist publicly protesting the name change, thus the only one sued.