John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center originated 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.
Further details are emerging. More details will be published soon.
