Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted 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 approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and appointed supporters in their place. The newly constituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. More details will be added as it becomes available.
