John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement.
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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and named loyalists in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed 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.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be provided shortly.
