Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its completion and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their stead. The reconstituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be published soon.
