Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to change its 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, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is likely to prove deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming 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 positions. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Further context will be published soon.
