The president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Richard Grenell, has issued a legal threat against jazz musician Chuck Redd after Redd canceled his Christmas Eve performance. This cancellation followed the board of trustees' decision to rename the center to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, a move that has drawn criticism from various quarters, including members of the Kennedy family.

Grenell's letter to Redd claims that the cancellation is a political stunt and threatens to seek $1 million in damages, labeling Redd's actions as a capitulation to what he describes as bullying tactics from certain political factions. The board's decision to rename the center was made swiftly, with signage changes occurring within 24 hours of the vote.

Redd, who has hosted the annual “Jazz Jams” concert since 2006, stated that he chose to cancel the concert upon learning of the name change, expressing disappointment over the impact on student musicians who typically participate in the event. Grenell's letter also included personal criticisms of Redd's popularity, suggesting that the center has seen increased success under its new leadership.

Despite Grenell's assertions, reports indicate that ticket sales at the Kennedy Center have significantly declined, with many seats remaining empty in recent performances. In response to the renaming, Representative Joyce Beatty, a Democrat from Ohio, has filed a lawsuit against President Trump and the Kennedy Center, arguing that the renaming was illegal and not conducted with proper consensus, as she claims her voice was muted during the board meeting where the decision was made.