Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Announcement.
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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has decided 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 decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the unbelievable work 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 added.
The planned renaming is expected to be highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Center
Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.
Original Concept
The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor.
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