D.C. judge dismisses lawsuit against musician who backed out of Kennedy Center gig over Trump

Redd canceled last year’s event shortly after the Kennedy Center’s Trump-appointed board voted to place the president’s name on the venue.

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: June 6, 2026 5:42pm

Updated: June 6, 2026 5:52pm

A D.C. Superior Court judge dismissed a breach of contract lawsuit filed against musician Chuck Redd after he pulled out of a Christmas Eve performance at the Kennedy Center in protest of President Donald Trump's role as chair of the institution, according to his attorneys.

The case was dismissed on Friday under Washington’s Anti-SLAPP laws, which are meant to protect against baseless lawsuits aimed at suppressing differing viewpoints on issues of public concern, according to the Associated Press.

Redd is a drummer and vibraphonist who had led the Kennedy Center’s holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006.

He canceled last year’s event shortly after the Kennedy Center’s Trump-appointed board voted to place the president’s name on the venue.