Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, blasted drummer Chuck Redd for canceling a Christmas Eve concert after the White House added President Donald Trump’s name to the venue.
Grenell’s Letter and Demand for Damages
In a letter to Redd, Grenell called the decision “classic intolerance” and said it was costly to a non-profit arts institution. He said he would seek $1 million in damages for the political stunt.
Redd’s Reason and Reaction
Redd, who has led the Kennedy Center’s holiday “Jazz Jams” since 2006, said he pulled out after seeing the name change on the website and on the building. He added that the event was a popular tradition that often featured a student musician, and that canceling it was “very sad.” He did not respond to a request for comment.
Context of Renaming and Legal Issues
Trump’s name was carved into the side of the Kennedy Center Friday, less than a day after the Trump-appointed board approved the renaming. The center was originally named after President John F. Kennedy in 1964, and Congress passed a law prohibiting the board from turning it into a memorial for anyone else or putting another name on the exterior. Critics say the change violates that law. Kennedy niece Kerry Kennedy has vowed to remove Trump’s name once he leaves office, and former House historian Ray Smock says any change would require congressional approval.
Key Takeaways
- Grenell seeks $1 million in damages from Redd for canceling the concert.
- Redd canceled after seeing Trump’s name added to the Kennedy Center.
- The renaming violates a law that protects the Kennedy Center’s status as a memorial to President Kennedy.
The incident highlights the tensions surrounding the controversial renaming and the impact on the Kennedy Center’s artistic programming.
