Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts 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 stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the tremendous efforts 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 grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed supporters in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
