John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to 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 deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover extensive repairs and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Historical Roots
The concept for a Washington-based 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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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