John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement.
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The governing board of the iconic 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 stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is expected to be highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named allies in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Inception
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.