🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by Administration Statement. Image Source The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building." "This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added. The intended name change is expected to be highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Context of the Center Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's incumbent trustees and installed allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to elect Trump chairman. The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to finance major renovations and other financial needs at the aging venue. Original Concept The concept for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death 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.