John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
Image Source
The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the unbelievable work 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 reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their positions. The reconstituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover major renovations and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 report is being updated. Further context will be provided shortly.
