A Washington, D.C., superior court judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,480 in legal fees and costs to jazz musician Chuck Redd after dismissing a $1 million retaliatory lawsuit filed against him. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier issued the ruling following the cancellation of Redd’s Christmas Eve concert, which he called off in protest over the venue’s politically motivated renaming.
The Legal Battle and Anti-SLAPP Ruling
According to reports from The Guardian and Grand Goldman, the legal dispute began when the Kennedy Center sued Chuck Redd for $1 million in damages after he backed out of his scheduled holiday performance. Redd canceled his appearance following a vote by a Trump-controlled board to rename the institution “The Donald J Trump and The John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.” In response to the cancellation, the venue’s leadership labeled the artist’s decision a political stunt and pursued litigation.
Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed the Kennedy Center’s lawsuit in June, applying the District of Columbia’s anti-SLAPP statute. The legislation is designed to protect individuals from lawsuits intended to silence protected speech. Following the dismissal, Redd’s legal team petitioned for the recovery of attorney fees. Judge Bosier granted the request, ordering the Kennedy Center to pay $252,480 within 45 days, as reported by The Washington Post and NPR.
Broader Governance Challenges at the Venue
The financial penalty adds to a growing list of legal and administrative challenges for the institution. According to reporting from CTV News and The New York Times, a federal judge previously ruled that the board lacked the legal authority to rename the center. That federal ruling ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the building and official communications while blocking planned major renovations.
Representatives for the Kennedy Center have announced intentions to appeal the latest legal fee award. The ongoing litigation highlights the intersection of contractual obligations, political expression, and institutional governance within major cultural arts organizations.
Key Aspects of the Ruling
- Financial Recovery: The court ordered the Kennedy Center to pay $252,480 to cover Chuck Redd’s legal costs.
- Statutory Protection: The dismissal and fee award relied on the District of Columbia’s anti-SLAPP statute, which shields defendants from retaliatory litigation.
- Pending Appeals: Kennedy Center leadership stated plans to challenge the superior court’s fee decision on appeal.
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