John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their place. The newly constituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The concept 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.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be provided shortly.
