John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement.
Image Source
The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts 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 intended name change is likely to prove deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and appointed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.
Historical Roots
The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death 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 report is being updated. More details will be provided shortly.
