John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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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, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary 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 preserving 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 noted.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Venue
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The idea 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 named in his honor.
This report is being updated. Further context will be provided shortly.