John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed 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 decision was unanimous, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Venue
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Inception
The vision for a national performing arts center began 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.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
