John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.

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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the extraordinary job 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 attain new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt added.

The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an architectural and cultural icon since its founding and christening for President John F. Kennedy.

Context of the Institution

Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and appointed allies in their place. The newly constituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and associated costs at the aging venue.

Inception

The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder 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 report is being updated. More details will be published soon.