John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "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 proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed supporters in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and associated costs at the aging venue.
Inception
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This report is being updated. More details will be published soon.
