Kennedy Center Set for Controversial Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per White House Announcement.

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The board of trustees of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's vote was unified, crediting "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in rescuing 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 planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, notably 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 Venue

Soon after assuming the presidency, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and installed loyalists in their place. The reconstituted board then voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to cover extensive repairs and associated costs at the aging venue.

Original Concept

The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was named in his honor.

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