John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named allies in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This report is being updated. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
