Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to change its 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, crediting "the unbelievable work 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 attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially 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 sitting board members and named supporters in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for extensive repairs and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Historical Roots
The vision for a national performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be provided shortly.
