Kennedy Center Votes for Controversial Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Statement.

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The leadership board of the renowned performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building."

"This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added.

The planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and christening for President John F. Kennedy.

Recent History of the Institution

Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and named loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for extensive repairs and other financial needs at the national venue.

Original Concept

The idea 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 future venue was dedicated to his memory.

This is a developing story. More details will be provided shortly.