John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the tremendous efforts 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 achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is shaping up as highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover extensive repairs and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center began 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.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.
