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The board of trustees of the prestigious performing arts venue has decided to be renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center, according to a statement from the White House.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on social media that the board's approval was consensus, citing "the extraordinary job 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 achieve new levels of prestige and accomplishment," Leavitt noted.

The intended name change is shaping up as highly controversial, especially in Washington, D.C., where the center has served as an architectural and cultural icon since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.

Background of the Center

Soon after taking office, President Donald Trump replaced all the center's incumbent trustees and installed loyalists in their positions. The newly constituted board subsequently voted to elect Trump chairman.

The president later secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding to finance major renovations and associated costs at the national venue.

Inception

The concept for a Washington-based performing arts center began 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 is a developing story. More details will be added as it becomes available.