Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
Image Source
The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure 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 vote was unified, citing "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their place. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a federal performing arts center originated 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 added as it becomes available.
