John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is likely to prove deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed loyalists in their positions. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 published soon.
