Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Statement.
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The governing board of the iconic 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 stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building."
"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Institution
Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named allies in their positions. The newly constituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the aging venue.
Inception
The idea for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder 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.