John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their positions. The reconstituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover extensive repairs and operational expenses at the national venue.
Historical Roots
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed 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. Additional information will be provided shortly.
