A Biden-appointed federal judge has thrown out the Kennedy Center’s lawsuit against jazz musician Keyon Harrold and ordered the prestigious performing arts venue to cover all his legal fees — a stunning reversal in a case that began when Harrold canceled a Christmas Eve 2024 performance because he objected to having President Trump’s name on the building.
Judge Tanya Chutkan, who presides over the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, dismissed the Kennedy Center’s breach of contract claim and granted Harrold’s motion for attorney’s fees. The decision marks a complete legal victory for the trumpeter, who walked away from the December 24 concert just days before the show after learning the venue bears Trump’s name as part of its official congressional designation.
The Kennedy Center had sued Harrold for backing out of the performance, arguing he violated his contractual obligations and left them scrambling to find a replacement during one of the busiest nights of the year. But Harrold’s legal team successfully argued that the musician’s decision was protected expression and that the Center’s lawsuit was retaliatory.
Harrold made no secret of his reasoning at the time. In statements posted to social media, he said he couldn’t in good conscience perform at a venue associated with Trump’s name, citing his opposition to the administration’s policies. The cancellation drew sharp criticism from conservatives who saw it as another example of entertainment industry intolerance, while progressive activists celebrated Harrold’s stand.
What makes the case particularly notable is Judge Chutkan’s decision to award attorney’s fees — a move that signals she found the Kennedy Center’s lawsuit lacked merit from the start. Fee awards in civil cases are relatively rare and typically reserved for situations where the court finds a claim was frivolous or brought in bad faith.
The Kennedy Center, which operates as a public-private partnership and receives federal funding, has not yet commented on whether it will appeal. The venue’s full name is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, though it carries additional congressional designations that include references to sitting presidents.
For Harrold, a Grammy-nominated musician known for his work in both jazz and film scoring, the legal victory comes at a moment when similar disputes over political expression in the arts are playing out across the country. The case now stands as precedent for artists who claim the right to withdraw from performances based on political objections — even when contracts are already signed.
Key Points
- Federal judge ruled against the Kennedy Center and ordered the venue to cover all of Harrold’s attorney’s fees
- Harrold canceled his Christmas Eve 2024 performance after learning Trump’s name was associated with the federally funded venue
- The fee award suggests the court found the Kennedy Center’s lawsuit lacked merit, a rare outcome that may embolden other artists to make similar political stands
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/06/biden-appointed-judge-dismisses-kennedy-center-lawsuit-against/ – June 07, 2026
