🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Moves for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to White House Announcement. Image Source The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has decided to change its 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 decision was unanimous, crediting "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building." "This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt continued. The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and dedication for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Center Not long after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed loyalists in their positions. The reconstituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance extensive repairs and operational expenses at the national venue. Original Concept The vision for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.