John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The intended name change is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and appointed allies in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the historic 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 then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
