🔗 Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Per White House Announcement. Image Source The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the tremendous efforts 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 reach new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt noted. The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an beloved institution since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Context of the Center Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover extensive repairs and other financial needs at the national venue. Inception The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor. This is a developing story. More details will be published soon.