John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their stead. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. More details will be added as it becomes available.
