Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and named supporters in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a Washington-based 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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. More details will be published soon.
