John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in saving 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 noted.
The planned renaming is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Background of the Center
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a national 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 christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be published soon.
