John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The governing 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.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The proposed move is likely to prove deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named allies in their positions. The reconstituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and associated costs at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 report is being updated. More details will be provided shortly.
