Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online 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 attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is shaping up as deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.
Inception
The concept for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder 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. More details will be published soon.
