Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed 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 saving 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 continued.
The planned renaming is shaping up as highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and appointed loyalists in their positions. The freshly appointed board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based 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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be published soon.