John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, citing "the tremendous efforts 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 success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is shaping up as extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named allies in their place. The reconstituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance extensive repairs and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Historical Roots
The vision for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be published soon.
