John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is shaping up as deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and named allies in their positions. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a national performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be provided shortly.
