Former President Donald Trump has showcased designs for opulent marble armrests intended for seats at the Washington, D.C. performing arts venue now bearing his name, a move that has ignited fierce criticism from political opponents.
A Centre Renamed and Redecorated
On Friday 27 December 2025, Trump posted images on his Truth Social platform of what he called "potential marble armrests" for the Kennedy Centre, proclaiming they were "unlike anything ever done or seen before." This revelation came just days after a significant announcement from the White House.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared on 18 December that the Kennedy Centre's board had "voted unanimously" to change the institution's name to the "Trump-Kennedy Centre." Workers were subsequently seen altering the building's signage to include the former president's name. Leavitt praised the decision on X, stating the building would "attain new levels of success and grandeur."
Backlash Over 'Wasteful Vanity'
The proposed marble additions and the renaming have been met with immediate pushback. Critics argue that only the US Congress holds the authority to rename the centre, which was originally dedicated to Democratic President John F. Kennedy.
More pointed criticism focused on the perceived extravagance. Democratic Senator Andy Kim responded on X, stating, "Americans are struggling to keep food on the table while Trump is spending your money on wasteful vanity projects. He doesn’t care about you."
This sentiment was echoed by other Democrats, including Senator Raphael Warnock and Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, who accused Trump of being "completely out of touch" with the financial struggles facing ordinary Americans.
A Pattern of Lavish Renovations
The marble armrests are not an isolated project. Trump also shared photos on the same day of the recently renovated Palm Room, a space connecting the White House's West Wing to the Rose Garden. The refurbishment, completed in September, features new marble flooring and a chandelier.
This is part of a series of costly White House renovations ordered by Trump, including a new ballroom estimated to cost $400 million. The White House has not disclosed the total cost of the Palm Room project when questioned by The Independent. Trump has claimed that private donations from major corporations like Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft are funding the ballroom's construction.
The controversy over spending coincides with ongoing political debate about the cost of living. Trump recently faced criticism for remarks suggesting parents "don't need 37 dolls" for their children. The White House defended his comments, with Press Secretary Leavitt arguing he was encouraging Americans to "buy American" for better quality.
