Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving 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 added.
The proposed move is shaping up as deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. More details will be published soon.
