🔗 Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement. Image Source The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to be renamed 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, crediting "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing the building." "This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added. The planned renaming is likely to prove extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Context of the Center Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and installed supporters in their stead. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to pay for significant upgrades and operational expenses at the aging venue. Inception The vision for a national performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This report is being updated. More details will be provided shortly.