Musician who canceled Kennedy Center holiday performance asks for suit to be dismissed
WTOP • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Musician Chuck Redd has filed a motion to dismiss a breach of contract lawsuit brought by the Kennedy Center after he canceled a Christmas Eve performance in protest of President Donald Trump's influence over the venue.
- Redd's lawyers argue the lawsuit should be dismissed because he never signed the contract provided by the Kennedy Center, and they claim the suit aims to intimidate artists who publicly disagree with those in power.
- Redd canceled his 2019 holiday “Jazz Jams” performance after the Kennedy Center's board, influenced by Trump appointees, voted to add the president’s name to the facility, prompting a $1 million damages threat from then-president Richard Grenell.
- Grenell, who sent the threatening letter, recently left his position and was replaced by Matt Floca; meanwhile, the Kennedy Center is scheduled to close for renovations later this summer under Trump's administration.
