Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is shaping up as highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance major renovations and operational expenses at the aging venue.
Historical Roots
The idea for a national performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
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