Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 added.
The intended name change is expected to be deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Venue
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the national 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 then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
Further details are emerging. More details will be provided shortly.
