John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is expected to be highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their stead. The freshly appointed board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Inception
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. Additional information will be published soon.
