Trump Appoints White House Aide to Fine Arts Commission

26-year-old Chamberlain Harris, a longtime executive assistant to the president, to join panel reviewing White House ballroom project

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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President Donald Trump has appointed his 26-year-old White House aide, Chamberlain Harris, to the Commission of Fine Arts, a panel that is expected to review the president's planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom project at the White House. Harris, who was known as the 'receptionist of the United States' during Trump's first term, has no notable arts expertise, raising concerns about the president's efforts to install allies on the commission and another panel, the National Capital Planning Commission, that are overseeing the ballroom and other Washington-area construction projects.

Why it matters

The Commission of Fine Arts was created over a century ago to provide expert advice on major design projects in the nation's capital, but Trump's appointment of a young White House aide with no arts background raises questions about the independence and integrity of the commission's review process, especially as it relates to the president's own construction plans.

The details

Chamberlain Harris, a 26-year-old who served as a longtime executive assistant to President Trump, is slated to be sworn in as the newest member of the Commission of Fine Arts at the panel's next public meeting on Thursday. Harris, who was known as the 'receptionist of the United States' during Trump's first term, has no notable arts expertise, leading to concerns that the president is trying to stack the commission with allies as it reviews his planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom project and other Washington-area construction initiatives.

  • The Commission of Fine Arts was created by Congress over a century ago.
  • Harris is set to be sworn in as the newest member of the commission at its next public meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Chamberlain Harris

A 26-year-old White House aide and longtime executive assistant to President Donald Trump, who has been appointed to the Commission of Fine Arts despite having no notable arts expertise.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States, who has appointed his young White House aide to the Commission of Fine Arts as the panel is expected to review the president's planned $400 million, 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom project and other Washington-area construction initiatives.

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What’s next

The Commission of Fine Arts is expected to review President Trump's planned White House ballroom project, as well as other Washington-area construction initiatives, at upcoming public meetings.

The takeaway

Trump's appointment of a young White House aide with no arts expertise to the Commission of Fine Arts raises concerns about the independence and integrity of the panel's review process, especially as it relates to the president's own construction plans in the nation's capital.