🔗 Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Statement. Image Source The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building." "This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added. The planned renaming is likely to prove extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Institution Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and named loyalists in their stead. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue. Inception The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder 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. This report is being updated. More details will be published soon.