John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its completion and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their stead. The freshly appointed board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
