Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "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 grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named allies in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover major renovations and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed 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 report is being updated. More details will be published soon.
