🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, As Stated by Administration Announcement. Image Source The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "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 noted. The planned renaming is expected to be deeply divisive, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Venue Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's sitting board members and appointed allies in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to name Trump the chairman. The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover significant upgrades and associated costs at the national venue. Historical Roots The idea for a federal performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor. This report is being updated. More details will be published soon.