Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, citing "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 achieve new levels of success and grandeur," 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 completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
