John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary 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 rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death 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. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
