John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by White House Announcement.
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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online 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 is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The proposed move is shaping up as deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and named allies in their positions. The newly constituted board later moved to elect Trump chairman.
The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the national venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center originated 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.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
