Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and christening 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 appointed loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Historical Roots
The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 report is being updated. Further context will be published soon.
