Trump Selects 26-Year-Old Former Receptionist for Federal Arts Panel Reviewing White House Ballroom
President Donald Trump has appointed Chamberlain Harris, a 26-year-old executive assistant with no formal art background, to serve on the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. This federal panel is tasked with reviewing the design and aesthetic of construction projects in Washington, D.C., including Trump's controversial $400 million White House ballroom plan.
Youthful Appointment Raises Eyebrows
Harris, who currently serves as executive assistant to the president and deputy director of Oval Office operations, appears to be the youngest member on the seven-person commission. According to The Washington Post, her arts experience appears limited, though she previously managed Trump's presidential portrait project after he left office in 2021. Harris holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from SUNY Albany.
"President Trump has an incredible eye for the arts, and only selects the most talented people possible," said White House spokesperson Davis Ingle, defending the appointment.
Commission Overhaul Preceded New Appointments
In October, President Trump fired all previous members of the Commission of Fine Arts to make room for his own appointees. The commission will now review not only Trump's massive ballroom project but also his proposed Arc de Triomphe-style arch for the White House grounds.
Among other new commission members are:
- James C. McCrery II, Trump's former ballroom architect (who has recused himself from the ballroom review)
- Rodney Mims Cook Jr., founder of the National Monuments Foundation and current commission chairman
- Mary Anne Carter, chairperson of the National Endowment for the Arts
- Roger Kimball, a conservative arts critic
- Pam Patenaude, former deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development
- Matthew Taylor, a film director
Controversial Ballroom Project Details
The proposed 89,000 square foot ballroom, which could be named for Trump, would serve as an entertainment space for state dinners and other presidential events. The project has faced multiple controversies:
- Trump initially claimed the addition wouldn't interfere with White House structure but later demolished the historic East Wing to make room
- The estimated cost has doubled from $200 million to $400 million
- Trump has sought private donations to cover costs, raising ethical concerns about corporate influence
- White House officials defended the East Wing demolition as necessary for structural soundness
The National Capital Planning Commission is also reviewing Trump's ballroom plans, and the president has installed allies on that panel as well.
Harris's Background and Role
During the first Trump administration, Harris served as the "Receptionist of the United States." According to the Commission of Fine Arts, she managed Trump's presidential portrait project in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery and White House Historical Association after his 2021 departure from office.
The commission's mandate includes approving buildings attached to the White House and reviewing all construction projects within Washington, D.C., making Harris's appointment particularly significant given her youth and limited arts expertise compared to traditional commission members.
