Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover extensive repairs and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Historical Roots
The idea for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be published soon.
