John F. Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.
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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the extraordinary job 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 reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.
The planned renaming is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Institution
Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and installed allies in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.
Inception
The idea for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory.
Further details are emerging. More details will be provided shortly.
