Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement.
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The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the tremendous efforts 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 added.
The planned renaming is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Context of the Venue
Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and named supporters in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance significant upgrades and operational expenses at the historic venue.
Inception
The vision for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was named in his honor.
This is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.