John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Statement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the unbelievable work 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 reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the national venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed 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.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.
