Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is likely to prove highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Center
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and installed loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance extensive repairs and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.