Judge tosses Kennedy Center suit against musician who canceled Christmas Eve show
The judge found no signed contract and ruled the suit targeted protected speech, ordering the Kennedy Center to cover Redd’s fees and costs.
- On Friday, District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed a breach-of-contract lawsuit brought by the Kennedy Center against jazz musician Chuck Redd, ordering the center to pay all his legal fees and court costs.
- Redd canceled his performance last year after the board voted to rename the facility after President Donald Trump, prompting former Kennedy Center president Ric Grenell to threaten $1 million in damages for what he called a "political stunt."
- Judge Jones Bosier determined the center lacked a signed contract with Redd and ruled the lawsuit qualified as "strategic litigation against public participation," or SLAPP, protecting his right to oppose the name change under D.C. law.
- Calling the lawsuit "political retribution, pure and simple," attorney Lisa Banks praised the ruling, stating the court correctly identified the center's attempt to penalize the musician for his public advocacy.
- Following a separate federal ruling declaring the renaming unlawful, the Kennedy Center must remove the president's name from the facility, with staff instructed to alter all signage and materials by June 12.
36 Articles
36 Articles
Kennedy Center loses lawsuit against defiant musician who canceled show because of Trump
A judge threw out a Kennedy Center lawsuit against jazz musician Chuck Redd after he canceled a show in protest of Trump's attempt to rename it after himself, according to reports.The Trump-led Kennedy Center sued Redd for breaching his contract, but D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier dismissed the lawsuit on Friday, according to reporting by the Washington Post. Richard Grenell, a Trump ally leading the center's board, threatened him …
The Independent
The Independent (US)Kennedy Center lawsuit against artist who canceled Christmas Eve show tossed by judge
The longtime Kennedy Center musician said he was ‘very pleased with the judge's ruling’
Associated Press News
Judge tosses Kennedy Center suit against musician who canceled Christmas Eve show
Attorneys for musician Chuck Redd said on Friday that a D.C. Superior Court judge had dismissed a breach of contract lawsuit filed against Redd after he canceled a Christmas Eve performance at the Kennedy Center in protest of President Donald Trump’s influence over the venue.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
