On 26/12, the president of the Kennedy center in Washington criticized Chuck Redd's decision to cancel his Christmas Eve performance, announcing plans to seek 1 million USD in damages for what he termed a "political stunt".

"He decided to cancel at the last minute solely because the center was renamed to acknowledge president Trump's contributions to this national heritage", Richard Grenell, the center's president, wrote in a letter. "This is an act of bad faith and causes significant loss to a non-profit arts organization."

Redd did not respond to a request for comment.

Workers added Trump's name to the Kennedy center in Washington on 19/12. *AP*

Redd, a drummer and vibraphonist, had led the Jazz Jams concert during the Christmas holiday at the Kennedy center since 2006. He decided to withdraw from the concert immediately after the Kennedy center was renamed.

"When I saw the center renamed on the website, and then the building itself a few hours later, I made my decision", he stated. He added that the event was a "Christmas tradition", and he often facilitated at least one music student's participation.

"That is one of many reasons I am deeply saddened to cancel the performance", he said.

The Kennedy center, built in 1964, opened to the public in 1971. Its website describes Kennedy as having "dedicated his life to supporting and patronizing the arts".

Originally named the National Cultural Center, the project was initiated in 1958 by president Dwight D. Eisenhower and received sufficient funding during Kennedy's presidency. Two months after Kennedy's assassination in 11/1963, president Lyndon Johnson renamed the structure the John F. Kennedy center.

The center's board members are typically split evenly between Republican and Democratic parties. In February, president Trump dismissed Democratic appointees by former president Joe Biden, replacing them with his own selections. Trump was then elected chairman of the Kennedy center board, and Grenell was appointed president of the center. The White House announced on 18/12 that the Kennedy center's board of trustees unanimously voted to rename the venue the Trump - Kennedy center.

Hong Hanh (According to AP)