John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by White House Statement.

Image Source

The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.

The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.

Recent History of the Center

Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover extensive repairs and other financial needs at the aging venue.

Original Concept

The concept for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.

Further details are emerging. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.