Trump Kennedy Center demands millions in compensation from musician who canceled Christmas performance in protest

Last week, the White House announced that the board had voted unanimously to rename the center The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. A day later, Trump’s name was added to the facade and the website and social media were adjusted.

READ ALSO.

JFK’s niece is not happy with ‘Trumpification’ of Kennedy Center: “Within 3 years I will take Trump’s name off with a pickaxe”

Richard Grenell, president of the center, called the cancellation in a letter a “political stunt” that has cost the institute “significantly.” He is seeking damages of no less than $1 million. “Your disappointing ticket sales and lack of donor support, combined with your last-minute cancellation, have caused us significant harm. This is your official notice that we will seek $1 million in damages from you for this political stunt,” the statement said. Redd did not respond to a request for comment.

Court case

According to the White House, the name change is in recognition of Trump’s efforts to renovate the building. However, the decision was met with criticism from Democrats, members of the Kennedy family and therefore also artists. “When I saw the name change on the website and a few hours later on the building itself, I decided to cancel our concert,” Redd told the AP earlier this week.

READ ALSO.

“The Trumpification of Washington”: after a ballroom and a peace institute, the president’s name now also hangs on the facade of the Kennedy Center

Democratic Congresswoman Joyce Beatty of Ohio has since filed a lawsuit to remove Trump’s name from the center. According to her, a name change must legally be done through an act of Congress because the Kennedy Center was established by law in 1964. Beatty claims she tried to dial in during the meeting about the name change but was put on silent when she tried to voice her objection. She is one of the board members designated by U.S. law.

Construction of the National Performing Arts Center began in the 1950s. After the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, Congress decided to transform the center into a living monument to him.