🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Set for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Statement. Image Source The leadership board of the iconic performing arts venue has decided to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's approval was consensus, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building." "This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt added. The proposed move is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Background of the Center Not long after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's sitting board members and installed loyalists in their positions. 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 operational expenses at the national venue. Inception The idea for a national performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the tragic death of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was named in his honor. This is a developing story. More details will be published soon.