Kennedy Center Loses Case Against Musician Who Canceled Over Trump Naming Dispute


A federal judge in Washington on Friday tossed a lawsuit filed by the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts against a jazz musician who canceled a performance at the venue’s annual Christmas Eve concert last year after the center’s board added President Trump’s name to the building.

In an order throwing out the breach-of-contract case, the judge, Tanya M. Jones Bosier, wrote that the Kennedy Center failed to prove that Chuck Redd, a jazz musician and a host of the institution’s holiday program, had signed a contract to perform as he had in years past.

The dispute arose after the Kennedy Center’s board voted to rename the institution The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, according to court papers.

Following the decision, Mr. Redd said that he would not participate.

The Kennedy Center sued, accusing Mr. Redd of breaking an agreement to appear at the concert. He argued that no enforceable contract existed.

“It is undisputed that Redd did not sign the 2025 Agreement that the Center provided,” the judge wrote.

According to court papers, the center said it sustained damages “from lost good will with the public, wasted marketing expenses, and sunk costs preparing for a concert that did not occur.”

However, the judge noted the center did not lose any ticket sales because 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 did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday.

The ruling was another setback for the institution stemming from the same renaming dispute that prompted Mr. Redd’s withdrawal.

On Thursday, the center’s general counsel in a memo directed staff to “immediately” remove President Trump’s name from official material after a federal judge ruled on May 29 that the board of trustees lacked the authority to rename the institution.

The memo also instructed employees to replace indoor and outdoor signage bearing the disputed name by June 12.

In a 94-page opinion, Judge Christopher R. Cooper, of the Federal District Court in Washington, determined that “Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it.”

Kennedy Center officials have indicated that they are planning to appeal Judge Cooper’s ruling.

Susan C. Beachy contributed research.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    Multiple People Shot Near Street Festival in Toledo, Ohio, Police Say

    The police in Toledo, Ohio, said a shooting near a community festival on Saturday had left multiple people injured. The police said they initially responded to a report around 5:37…

    Multiple people shot near outdoor festival in Ohio: Police

    Multiple people were shot near a outdoor festival in Toledo, Ohio, Saturday evening and police said they are still searching for the suspect. Officers responded to a call around 5:37…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers for June 7 #1092

    Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers for June 7 #1092

    Zara, COS and Abercrombie Quietly Dropped the Chicest Summer Buys

    Zara, COS and Abercrombie Quietly Dropped the Chicest Summer Buys

    Lebanese general among three soldiers killed in Israeli attack on car

    Lebanese general among three soldiers killed in Israeli attack on car

    Kingdom Hearts, Jak & Daxter-Inspired ‘Duskfade’ Confirmed For Switch 2

    Kingdom Hearts, Jak & Daxter-Inspired ‘Duskfade’ Confirmed For Switch 2

    5 Airports That Pilots Say Are The Most Technically Challenging To Land At

    5 Airports That Pilots Say Are The Most Technically Challenging To Land At

    What to know about Pope Leo's trip to Spain, from political scandal to Barcelona's architectural gem

    What to know about Pope Leo's trip to Spain, from political scandal to Barcelona's architectural gem