Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is shaping up as highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for extensive repairs and other financial needs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Further details are emerging. Additional information will be published soon.
