Musician To Suffer Consequences After Cancelling Kennedy Center Show Over Trump

Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is drawing a hard line after several artists attempted to turn the nation’s premier cultural institution into a platform for political protest against President Donald Trump.

Grenell warned there would be “consequences” for performers who cancel appearances in response to President Trump’s decision to rename the Washington, D.C., landmark, according to remarks he posted on X that were reported by Mediaite.

The controversy erupted after jazz musician Chuck Redd abruptly canceled a scheduled Christmas Eve performance at the venue. Fox News Digital reported that Redd objected to President Trump’s name being added above that of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Earlier this month, the Kennedy Center board voted unanimously to rename the institution the Trump Kennedy Center.

Redd confirmed his decision to the Associated Press, saying the name change prompted him to pull out.

“When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert,” Redd said.

Grenell responded forcefully. In a letter obtained by Fox News Digital, he accused Redd of engaging in a last-minute political stunt that caused serious financial harm to the nonprofit arts institution. Grenell said he would seek $1 million in damages.

“Your decision to withdraw at the last moment — explicitly in response to the Center’s recent renaming, which honors President Trump’s extraordinary efforts to save this national treasure — is classic intolerance and very costly to a non-profit Arts institution,” Grenell wrote.

Grenell later made clear on X that politically motivated cancellations would not be tolerated.

“The left is boycotting the Arts because Trump is supporting the Arts,” Grenell wrote. “But we will not let them cancel shows without consequences. The Arts are for everyone — and the Left is mad about it.”

Redd is not alone. Last spring, the cast of Hamilton canceled planned performances at the Kennedy Center following President Trump’s move to take control of the institution, and other performers have since followed suit.

A Kennedy Center spokesperson told Fox News Digital that artists who cancel performances over political disagreements are betraying their responsibility to the public.

“Any artist canceling their show at the Trump Kennedy Center over political differences isn’t courageous or principled,” the spokesperson said.

“They are selfish, intolerant, and have failed to meet the basic duty of a public artist: to perform for all people,” the spokesperson added.

The standoff comes as President Trump continues to receive international recognition for his leadership beyond the arts. This month, Trump was awarded the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize — the first time the global soccer organization has issued the honor.

The Trump War Room account announced the award on X, sharing a video of the trophy and stating Trump was recognized “for ending nearly nine wars and for his endless pursuit of peace around the globe.”

Fox News reported the prize was presented at the Kennedy Center during the World Cup final draw. FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally presented Trump with the trophy, which featured golden hands holding a soccer ball, along with a medal that Trump placed around his neck immediately after accepting it.

A certificate accompanying the award stated the FIFA Peace Prize is given annually to an individual who advances peace and unity through leadership and action. Trump called the recognition deeply meaningful.

“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said.

He added that he and Infantino discussed diplomatic efforts they believe saved “millions and millions of lives,” while highlighting wars ended and conflicts prevented during his presidency.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order creating a task force to oversee preparations for the World Cup tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.