John F. Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted.
The proposed move is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their stead. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be provided shortly.
