rights
Gay Trump toadie loses $1M Kennedy Center lawsuit for the silliest reason
By Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation
· June 9, 2026
· 1 min read
Gay Trump administration official Richard Grenell, who stepped down last March as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., had his $1 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd thrown out by a judge last Friday because, it turns out,
Key takeaway Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.
Why this matters
The dismissal of Richard Grenell's $1 million lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding the attempted renaming of the Kennedy Center. The court's decision underscores the lack of a valid contract between Redd and the Center, but also reveals a pattern of retaliation against those who speak out against the Trump administration's actions. Redd's withdrawal from the New Year's Eve show was a protest against the unauthorized name change, which was later deemed illegal by a U.S. district judge. The Center's lawsuit, led by Grenell, a prominent Trump ally, can be seen as an attempt to silence critics and stifle free speech. The fact that the Center offered to settle the lawsuit if Redd agreed to make no "political commentary" about his withdrawal further suggests that the lawsuit was motivated by a desire to suppress dissent. This case has implications for the broader LGBTQ+ community, which has often been at the forefront of resistance against the Trump administration's policies.
About this story
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Category: rights ·
Published: June 9, 2026 ·
Source: LGBTQ Nation ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gay Trump administration official Richard Grenell, who stepped down last March as president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., had his $1 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against jazz artist Chuck Redd thrown out by a judge last Friday because, it turns out,
When was this published? This article was first published on June 9, 2026 by LGBTQ Nation and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Daniel Villarreal at LGBTQ Nation. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .