John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the unbelievable work 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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and appointed supporters in their stead. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated 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. Additional information will be published soon.