Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and installed supporters in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.
Historical Roots
The vision for a national performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.
