Kennedy Center Set for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "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 noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's incumbent trustees and installed allies in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The vision 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. More details will be added as it becomes available.
