John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted 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 decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This will 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 shaping up as extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named allies in their positions. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover significant upgrades and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a federal 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 named in his honor.
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