Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and named allies in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for extensive repairs and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.
