John F. Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Name Change to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.

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The governing board of the iconic performing arts venue has voted to adopt a new name the Trump-Kennedy Center, as confirmed by the White House.

White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's vote was unified, attributing it to "the tremendous efforts President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."

"This will be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt continued.

The planned renaming is shaping up as deeply divisive, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an beloved institution since its construction and dedication for President John F. Kennedy.

Recent History of the Institution

Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump fired all the center's incumbent trustees and named allies in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and other financial needs at the national venue.

Inception

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

This report is being updated. Further context will be published soon.