Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job 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 achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," 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 founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began 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 is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.
