Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media 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 added.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 is a developing story. More details will be published soon.
