A lawsuit filed by the Kennedy Center against jazz musician Chuck Redd was dismissed by D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya Jones Bosier. The case stemmed from Redd's cancellation of a scheduled performance at the Kennedy Center's Christmas Eve concert, which he decided to forgo in protest of former President Donald Trump's efforts to rename the venue after himself. Judge Bosier ruled that the Kennedy Center failed to demonstrate the existence of a legally binding contract for Redd's performance. She stated, "I could not find a valid breach-of-contract claim here," noting that Redd had not signed the 2025 agreement. The lawsuit included a $1 million demand from Richard Grenell, a Trump ally and board member of the Kennedy Center, who had threatened Redd after the cancellation. The judge's ruling comes as efforts to rename the Kennedy Center are being undone, further complicating the center's position in this legal dispute. Redd's actions highlight the intersection of art, politics, and contractual obligations in the current climate.