Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, 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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed 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.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be provided shortly.
