John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.
