Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.

The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the unbelievable work 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 grandeur and success," Leavitt added.

The intended name change is shaping up as highly controversial, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.

Context of the Institution

Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and appointed loyalists in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover major renovations and associated costs at the historic venue.

Inception

The concept for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Further details are emerging. More details will be provided shortly.