Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per 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.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, citing "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 achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed loyalists in their stead. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Historical Roots
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 future venue was named in his honor.
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