Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts 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 attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover significant upgrades and other financial needs at the historic venue.
Inception
The concept for a federal performing arts center began 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. More details will be added as it becomes available.
