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The board of trustees of the renowned performing arts venue has voted to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared online that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the unbelievable work 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 reach new levels of success and grandeur," Leavitt noted.

The planned renaming is likely to prove highly controversial, notably in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its construction and original naming for President John F. Kennedy.

Recent History of the Center

Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump fired all the center's existing board members and appointed allies in their place. The reconstituted board subsequently voted to appoint Trump as chairman.

The president was instrumental in securing approximately $257 million in federal funds to pay for significant upgrades and associated costs at the historic venue.

Original Concept

The vision for a federal performing arts center originated in the 1950s. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the future venue was dedicated to his memory.

This report is being updated. Additional information will be added as it becomes available.