Musician Chuck Redd found himself at the center of a legal battle after canceling a scheduled performance on Christmas Eve at the Kennedy Center. Redd’s decision to protest President Donald Trump’s influence over the venue led to a breach of contract lawsuit, which has now been dismissed by a D.C. Superior Court judge.
On Friday, the lawsuit was dismissed under Washington’s Anti-SLAPP laws, which protect against frivolous lawsuits that aim to suppress free speech on issues of public interest.
Known for his skills on the drums and vibraphone, Redd has been a staple at the Kennedy Center’s holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006, performing alongside legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown. However, last year’s performance was canceled after the Kennedy Center voted, under Trump’s appointed board, to add Trump’s name to the venue.
In a statement, Redd’s attorney Lisa J. Banks remarked, “The Center sued Mr. Redd because he publicly and rightly objected to adding Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center, a living memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.” She characterized the lawsuit as “political retribution” and praised the court for dismissing the case with prejudice.
Redd expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating to The Associated Press, “I am very pleased with the judge’s ruling.”
The dismissal motion, filed in March, argued that Redd was not contractually bound to perform, as the contract provided by the Kennedy Center had never been signed by him. The Kennedy Center has not yet provided any comments regarding the dismissal of the lawsuit.
