Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.
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The governing board of the renowned 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 declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job 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 reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.
The intended name change is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and installed loyalists in their positions. The newly constituted board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.
Inception
The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.
