President Donald Trump is reportedly planning a significant interior redesign for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a project that includes the installation of marble armrests in the seating of its main theaters. This proposed aesthetic change, described as the "Mar-a-Lago special," would feature a gold and marble refit, beginning with the armrests themselves. The announcement was made via Truth Social, where Trump shared images of potential marble armrest designs.
This initiative is the latest development in Trump's asserted control over the Kennedy Center. Following his appointment of a new board and himself as chair in February, reportedly due to disagreements over LGBTQ programming, the center has seen artists, organizations, and concerts withdraw. Staff cuts have occurred, and the venue has been characterized by some as a "swamp for cronyism and self-dealing." Congress has allocated $250 million for renovations to the building, which opened in 1971, and Trump's design preferences, which lean towards a white marble and gold palette, are seen as consistent with his renovations at the White House, including the Oval Office, Lincoln Bathroom, and Rose Garden.
Trump's engagement with his followers for design feedback, such as the inquiry about marble armrests, follows a pattern of seeking public opinion on social media, including questions about his hosting of the Kennedy Center Honors. The broadcast of the honors ceremony reportedly achieved its lowest television ratings to date. Members of the Kennedy family, including Maria Shriver, have expressed strong disapproval of Trump's actions, particularly the renaming of the center and his perceived "assault on their family legacy."