John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving 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 planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named loyalists in their positions. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national 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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This report is being updated. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
