đź”— Share this article John F. Kennedy Center Moves for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Center, As Stated by White House Announcement. Image Source The leadership board of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House. White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's decision was unanimous, attributing it to "the extraordinary job President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building." "This promises to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt attain new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted. The planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has stood as an iconic landmark since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy. Recent History of the Institution Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's existing board members and named supporters in their place. The newly constituted board later moved to name Trump the chairman. The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to cover major renovations and associated costs at the national venue. Inception The idea for a national performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. This report is being updated. Further context will be provided shortly.