John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Statement.
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The leadership board of the renowned 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 vote was unified, attributing it to "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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt continued.
The proposed move is expected to be highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their positions. The freshly appointed board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and operational expenses at the national venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated 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.
Further details are emerging. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
