John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and installed allies in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Inception
The concept for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder 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. More details will be added as it becomes available.