John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new 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 unbelievable work 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 noted.
The proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the national venue.
Inception
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was named in his honor.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
