Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement.
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The governing board of the iconic 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 vote was unified, 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 reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover extensive repairs and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
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 future venue was named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Further context will be published soon.
