Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts 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 reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The reconstituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a national performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
