John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be published soon.
