John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "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 achieve new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The intended name change is likely to prove extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and installed supporters in their positions. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Inception
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.