🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement. Image Source The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building." "This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added. The planned renaming is expected to be deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Venue Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's existing board members and named allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for major renovations and operational expenses at the aging venue. Original Concept The vision for a national performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was dedicated to his memory. This report is being updated. Further context will be published soon.