Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is expected to be extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Institution
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and installed loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover extensive repairs and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a federal 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.
This report is being updated. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.
