🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement. Image Source The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building." "This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted. The planned renaming is likely to prove deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Center Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their place. The newly constituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman. The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to cover major renovations and operational expenses at the historic venue. Original Concept The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor. This report is being updated. Additional information will be published soon.