John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided 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, crediting "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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a national performing arts center began 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. More details will be added as it becomes available.
