🔗 Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per Administration Announcement. Image Source The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure 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 decision was unanimous, crediting "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 reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added. The planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Context of the Venue Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and appointed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman. The president helped procure approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance significant upgrades and operational expenses at the national venue. Original Concept The vision for a Washington-based 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 named in his honor. This report is being updated. More details will be added as it becomes available.