Kennedy Center Moves for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure 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 decision was unanimous, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is likely to prove extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Venue
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
