Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed 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, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in saving 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 intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea 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 future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. More details will be provided shortly.
