Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, 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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover significant upgrades and operational expenses at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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.
