Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the unbelievable work 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 reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and appointed supporters in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal 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.
Further details are emerging. More details will be published soon.
