John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is likely to prove extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Historical Roots
The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be published soon.
