John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and appointed supporters in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was named in his honor.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
