Kennedy Center Set for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving 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 proposed move is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Original Concept
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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
