A Washington judge has ordered the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to pay more than $250,000 in legal fees to jazz musician Charles Redd, who successfully fought a lawsuit brought against him after he canceled a performance in protest of President Donald Trump’s name being added to the institution.
The fee award was issued Monday by Judge Tanya Jones Bosier of the District of Columbia Superior Court, following the dismissal of the Kennedy Center’s case against Redd.
The dispute began after Redd pulled out of the center’s annual free Christmas Eve performance last year. His decision came after Trump’s name was added to the building’s facade in December.
The Kennedy Center later sued Redd, accusing him of violating his contractual obligations. Bosier dismissed the case in June, clearing the way for the musician to seek reimbursement for the legal expenses he incurred defending himself.
Redd’s attorney, Lisa Banks, said the lawsuit was an attempt by the Trump-controlled Kennedy Center to discourage opposition to the name change. She characterized the case as lacking merit and argued that individuals should not be forced to bear the financial burden of defending themselves against politically motivated litigation.
The Kennedy Center had opposed Redd’s request for fees, arguing that the amount sought was excessive compared with the underlying dispute.
The White House directed questions about the ruling to the Kennedy Center. The center did not immediately respond, while its attorney declined to comment.
The fee dispute comes amid a broader legal fight over Trump’s name appearing on the Kennedy Center. In a separate case, a federal appeals court last month rejected the administration’s attempt to keep Trump’s name on the building while an appeal proceeds. That litigation stems from an order requiring the name to be removed.
Redd’s victory therefore adds another setback for the Kennedy Center as legal challenges continue over both the musician’s canceled performance and the controversial renaming of the Washington landmark.
