Musician Chuck Redd expressed his disappointment, saying, “I’ve been performing at the Kennedy Center since the beginning of my career.”
Highlights of the Event
- Donald Trump’s name change at the Kennedy Center caused uproar and led to the cancellation of the annual Christmas concert.
- Chuck Redd, the performer set to host the Christmas concert, canceled the event amid this controversy.
- Redd expressed his sadness about the name change affecting the concert.
Donald Trump has faced backlash after his attempt to attach his name to the iconic Kennedy Center, which is a memorial to President John F. Kennedy, resulted in a canceled Christmas concert.
As the widely-loved Christmas jazz concert was about to kick off in Washington, D.C.—a tradition spanning two decades—Redd decided to pull the plug on the performance. This decision came after he learned of the rebranding of the venue to the “Trump Kennedy Center.”
Redd disclosed to the Associated Press that upon observing the name change by the center on their website and later on the building itself, he felt obligated to cancel the concert.
The official site now lists the Christmas Eve Jazz Jam as canceled, which was anticipated to bring a delightful dose of seasonal spirit.
In a follow-up message to CNN, Redd reaffirmed his stance, explaining that he made the decision only after witnessing the changes unfold on last Friday. “This name change made me really sad, especially as I have so many fond memories at the Kennedy Center,” he added.
As reported by the Associated Press, Donald J. Trump’s name was added above John F. Kennedy’s, triggering public outrage.
Rep. Joyce Beatty from Ohio is among those opposed to the name change, even pursuing legal action against the board of trustees due to existing regulations barring changes to the memorial without proper protocol.
Kerry Kennedy, John F. Kennedy’s niece, has voiced intentions to have Trump’s name removed from the building once he is out of office.
Entertainment Weekly has tried to contact Trump’s representatives for comments.
When contacted by EW, the Kennedy Center’s press office sent an auto-reply indicating that holiday delays might extend their response time.
Furthermore, this controversy isn’t the only instance this year for the Kennedy Center. Various entertainers, notably Issa Rae, have either voiced dissent or withdrawn from plans to appear at the center since Trump became the chairman of the board earlier this year.
Issa Rae took to her Instagram Stories, expressing her regret at canceling her event due to what she sees as contrary to the institution’s values. “Thank you so much for selling out the Kennedy Center for my show. Unfortunately, I believe that my presence there now goes against the principles that the Kennedy Center stands for. Hope to see you soon!
Read the full article on Entertainment Weekly.
