Kennedy Center’s Christmas Eve jazz canceled after Trump renaming

[mystery-ak]

 Kennedy Center’s Christmas Eve jazz canceled after Trump renaming
by Sarah Fortinsky - 12/25/25 8:52 AM ET

The Kennedy Center’s annual Christmas Eve jazz concert was canceled on Wednesday after its longtime host declined to perform in protest of the recent changes to the performing arts center’s name.

Chuck Redd, who’s hosted the holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006, said he made the decision after seeing President Trump’s name added to the building, which was named after former President John F. Kennedy and serves as a living tribute to the assassinated president.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd told The Associated Press in an email on Christmas Eve.

Trump’s handpicked board members of the Kennedy Center voted on Dec. 18 to rename the building to honor both presidents, a move that has drawn fierce backlash from Democrats and members of the Kennedy family.

Many experts also contest the legality of the move, noting the building was named by Congress and can only be renamed by the same legislative body.

Despite questions over the move, the performing arts center swiftly began updating its signage, changing its name on the website, and, on Friday, adding Trump’s name to the outside of the center.

The building’s facade now reads, “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.”

The president has instituted a series of changes at Washington, D.C.’s renowned cultural center since taking office. Earlier this year, he replaced board members appointed by past presidents with his own choices. The board then voted to elect Trump its chairman.

more
https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/5663033-kennedy-center-christmas-eve-concert-trump/

[mountaineer]

Another snowflake heard from.

[Cyber Liberty]

Another snowflake heard from.

...and melted

[Kamaji]

Sue his a$$ for breach of contract.

[berdie]

Sue his a$$ for breach of contract.

 

[Timber Rattler]

So much for the show "must go on..."

[libertybele]

...and melted

 

[mountaineer]

I trust he had to make a nonrefundable deposit.

[mountaineer]

Grenell to seek $1 million in damages after musician canceled performance over Kennedy Center name change
By Ross O'Keefe
December 26, 2025 11:00 pm

Kennedy Center head Richard Grenell will seek $1 million in damages against musician Chuck Redd after he declined to perform at the center following its name change.

Grenell said Redd’s response to the Trump-Kennedy Center’s name change is “classic intolerance.”

“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 in a letter to Redd that was shared with the Associated Press.

Redd had performed at the Kennedy Center annually since 2006, but said he canceled his concert over the name change.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said.  ... Washington Examiner

[Cyber Liberty]

Is there a Contract?

[Sighlass]

He probable could of feigned sickness and got away with it without the 1 million lawsuit.

[Kamaji]

Is there a Contract?

Almost certainly. 

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Almost certainly.

What else is a certainty is that right now the Center is arranging a high profile musician to fill the void that will be an immediate public celebrity by performing at the last minute of a major event like this.

[verga]

Grenell to seek $1 million in damages after musician canceled performance over Kennedy Center name change
By Ross O'Keefe
December 26, 2025 11:00 pm

Kennedy Center head Richard Grenell will seek $1 million in damages against musician Chuck Redd after he declined to perform at the center following its name change.

Grenell said Redd’s response to the Trump-Kennedy Center’s name change is “classic intolerance.”

“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 in a letter to Redd that was shared with the Associated Press.

Redd had performed at the Kennedy Center annually since 2006, but said he canceled his concert over the name change.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said.  ... Washington Examiner

Good, do not settle out of court, for an unspecified amount. Drag his stank @$$ into court and make sure the media covers it.

[Kamaji]

Good, do not settle out of court, for an unspecified amount. Drag his stank @$$ into court and make sure the media covers it.

The media may not cover it, but it would be a good object lesson to drag his sorry a$$ through court and refuse to settle under conditions of confidentiality.