Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Inception
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death 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.
