🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Set for Major Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement. Image Source The governing board of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, citing "the extraordinary job 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 planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an iconic landmark since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Center Shortly after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their place. The freshly appointed board later moved to elect Trump chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to finance significant upgrades and associated costs at the national venue. Historical Roots The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was named in his honor. This is a developing story. Additional information will be published soon.