The head of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC is seeking $1 million (£740,000) in damages from a musician who cancelled a concert after President Donald Trump’s name was added to the venue.

Chuck Redd cancelled his annual Christmas Eve performance, which he’d hosted since 2006, because the board voted to rename the site the Trump kennedy Center.

In a letter, Richard Grenell stated the cancellation was a “political stunt” and “has cost us considerably.” Redd has not yet responded to requests for comment.

After taking office, Trump removed all of the center’s board members and replaced them with supporters, who then voted to make Trump chairman of the board.

Grenell, the Trump Kennedy Center president, wrote to Redd that his cancellation “is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution.”

He added: “Your poor ticket sales and lack of donor support, combined with your last-minute cancellation has cost us considerably.

“this is your official notice that we will seek $1 million in damages from you for this political stunt.”

Last week, the White House announced the center’s board had unanimously voted to rename the venue.