John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its completion and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and named supporters in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
