John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is likely to prove highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named loyalists in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a Washington-based 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 published soon.
