Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Announcement.
Image Source
The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, citing "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and appointed supporters in their stead. The freshly appointed board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death 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 provided shortly.