Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the extraordinary job 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 attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is expected to be highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their positions. The reconstituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. More details will be published soon.
