John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the tremendous efforts 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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The proposed move is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future 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.
