Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic 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 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 is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is likely to prove deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and named loyalists in their positions. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center was first proposed 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.
