President Donald Trump’s fixation on renovations doesn’t seem to be stopping with the White House’s East Wing.
In a Truth Social post early Monday morning, Trump announced that there were “many major improvements” also underway at the Kennedy Center, a storied D.C. performing arts venue that he’s taken a particular interest in overseeing this term.
“The new TRUMP KENNEDY, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, columns, beautifully painted in a luxuriant white enamel color, replacing the fake looking gold paint that was there for years,” Trump wrote about the recent changes at the establishment.
“Many major improvements are being made, including seating, carpeting, wall coverings, ceilings, chandeliers, stages, heating and A/C, etc., to what will soon be the finest Arts and Entertainment Center anywhere in the World,” Trump added.
Spokespeople for the White House and the Kennedy Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the rationale and timeline behind the changes.
Previously, Trump has said that he aimed to “fully renovate” the building as he’s sought to mount a larger takeover of the institution.
In February, Trump named himself chair of the Kennedy Center’s board, ousted several existing members and appointed a slew of loyalists. He’s also said he’s interested in steering programming at the venue and criticized past shows for being too “woke.”
In an apparent bid to curry favor with the president, House Republicans have proposed renaming the entire Kennedy Center after him and renaming the venue’s opera house after first lady Melania Trump.
The construction at the Kennedy Center also comes as Trump has spearheaded the demolition of the East Wing of the White House, with the goal of building a 90,000-square-foot ballroom that he can use for galas and formal events. That move has drawn severe backlash, given the East Wing’s historic role as a hub for the first lady and her offices.
Trump has similarly paved over the Rose Garden and covered its iconic green lawn with white stone after claiming that it was difficult to navigate during major gatherings.
“I am doing the same thing to the United States of America, but only on a ‘slightly’ larger scale!” Trump wrote in his Monday morning post about the Kennedy Center’s renovations.