John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, 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 continued.
The proposed move is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and installed allies in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Inception
The idea 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 named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
