🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Set for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, According to Administration Statement. 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 announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the extraordinary job 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 prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted. The proposed move is shaping up as highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Center Shortly after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and appointed allies in their stead. The reconstituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman. The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue. Historical Roots The vision for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the assassination 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 is a developing story. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.