A Christmas Eve jazz tradition at the Trump-Kennedy Center came to an abrupt halt Wednesday when the show’s host withdrew in protest of the venue’s controversial rebrand.
In a unanimous vote last week, the performing arts center’s board—led by President Trump—approved renaming the iconic institution after the commander in chief, rechristening it the Trump Kennedy Center.
"When I saw the name change on the Kennedy Center website and then hours later on the building, I chose to cancel our concert," said Chuck Redd, the drummer, vibraphonist, and longtime host of the Christmas Eve show, in a statement to The Associated Press.
Jazz musician Chuck Redd canceled his scheduled performance at the Kennedy Center in protest of President Trump’s decision to change the venue’s name. Chuck Redd/Instagram
Redd—drummer, vibraphonist, and longtime host of the Christmas Eve concert—takes the stage with a bassist, delivering a performance steeped in holiday tradition. Chuck Redd/Instagram
“I’ve been performing at the Kennedy Center since the beginning of my career and I was saddened to see this name change,” Redd told CNN.
Despite plans to livestream the free concert, the event was abruptly labeled “canceled” on the Trump-Kennedy Center website.
Neither the Trump-Kennedy Center nor Redd immediately responded to requests for comment from FaqInsurances.
Speaking to reporters last week, Trump said he was “surprised” the board voted to rename the center in his honor and added that he felt “honored” by the decision.
Despite expressing surprise, the president had earlier hinted that a name change was in the works, even accidentally calling the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center” earlier this month.
President Trump gestures as he attends a Christmas Eve dinner at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 24, 2025. AP
On Dec. 20, 2025, President Trump’s name was placed above former President John F. Kennedy’s on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. SHAWN THEW/EPA/Shutterstock
Demonstrators rallied in Washington, D.C., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, protesting a Trump-appointed board’s plan to place President Trump’s name on the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. AP
Critics, including Democratic congressional leaders, maintain that the board overstepped its bounds in renaming the performing arts center, long dedicated to former President John F. Kennedy.
Soon after beginning his second term, Trump purged the center’s board of every Biden appointee, installing himself as chairman and longtime ally Ric Grenell as interim executive director.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of ‘Hamilton,’ along with other artists, said they will boycott the venue, refusing to run musicals, concerts, or events in response to the board’s actions.
President Trump has promised to launch a “Golden Age of Arts and Culture” at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center.
