🔗 Share this article Kennedy Center Moves for Major Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Center, Per Administration Announcement. Image Source The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's vote was unified, citing "the tremendous efforts 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 success and grandeur," Leavitt noted. The planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Institution Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named supporters in their place. The freshly appointed board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the historic venue. Original Concept The vision for a Washington-based performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the murder 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 provided shortly.