🔗 Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Statement. Image Source The board of trustees 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 stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, attributing it to "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building." "This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added. The proposed move is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Venue Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board then voted to elect Trump chairman. The president helped procure approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for extensive repairs and operational expenses at the aging venue. Original Concept The concept for a federal 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. More details will be published soon.