John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, crediting "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 reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named allies in their place. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Original Concept
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 future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. Further context will be provided shortly.
