Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious 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 announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance major renovations 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 murder 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. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
