Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "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 reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.
