John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name 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, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and appointed loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
