John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and appointed allies in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
