🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Statement. Image Source The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in saving 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 continued. The intended name change is expected to be highly controversial, notably 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. Background of the Institution Not long after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover significant upgrades and operational expenses at the historic venue. Original Concept The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed 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. Further context will be provided shortly.