Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This is destined 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 expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and installed supporters in their place. The reconstituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover major renovations and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision 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 dedicated to his memory.
This report is being updated. Further context will be provided shortly.
