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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, 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 reach new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.

The planned renaming is expected to be extremely contentious, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its completion and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.

Context of the Center

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

The president helped procure approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.

Historical Roots

The concept for a federal performing arts center was first proposed in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the planned venue was named in his honor.

Further details are emerging. Further context will be published soon.