John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center began 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 published soon.
