John F. Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the extraordinary job 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 attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is likely to prove extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Historical Roots
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.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided shortly.
