Trump Appointee Proposes Replacing White House Columns with Ornate Design

The head of the Commission of Fine Arts suggests swapping Ionic columns for Corinthian style, a favorite of the former president.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 4:58am

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Rodney Mims Cook Jr., the head of the Commission of Fine Arts appointed by former President Donald Trump, suggested in an interview that the federal arts panel may consider replacing the Ionic columns framing the White House's main entrance with more ornate Corinthian columns - a design favored by Trump. However, a White House official has stated there are no plans to change the existing columns.

Why it matters

The proposal to alter the iconic White House architecture has drawn criticism from experts who argue the Corinthian columns would be inappropriate for the "People's House." This potential change is part of a larger renovation project under the Trump administration that has faced scrutiny over its scale and design.

The details

Cook, who was appointed by Trump to the Commission of Fine Arts in October, told The Washington Post that "Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that's what our other two branches of government have. Why the White House didn't originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me." However, a White House official has stated there are no plans to change any existing columns on the White House.

  • In October 2025, Trump appointed a new slate of members to the Commission of Fine Arts, including Cook.
  • In March 2026, Cook publicly proposed the idea of replacing the White House's Ionic columns with Corinthian columns.

The players

Rodney Mims Cook Jr.

The head of the Commission of Fine Arts, appointed by former President Donald Trump in October 2025.

Donald Trump

The former president who appointed Cook to the Commission of Fine Arts and is known to favor the Corinthian architectural style.

Steven Semes

A professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Notre Dame and an expert in classical architecture, who argued the Corinthian columns would be "inappropriate" for the White House.

Stewart McLaurin

The president of the White House Historical Association, who wrote that the White House's "iconic stone facade and carved columns have remained a cornerstone of the structure."

Edward Lengel

The former chief historian of the White House Historical Association during Trump's first term, who criticized the planned ballroom addition as turning the White House into a "presidential palace."

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What they’re saying

“Corinthian is the highest order [of column], and that's what our other two branches of government have. Why the White House didn't originally use them, at least on the north front, which is considered the front door, is beyond me.”

— Rodney Mims Cook Jr., Head of the Commission of Fine Arts (The Washington Post)

“The Corinthian would be inappropriate for the Executive Residence.”

— Steven Semes, Professor emeritus of architecture, University of Notre Dame (The Washington Post)

“The White House, as it is, stands as a testament to timeless design and historical continuity.”

— Stewart McLaurin, President, White House Historical Association (LinkedIn)

“Now your attention is going to be drawn to the giant ballroom, which really has one man's name on it. It's going to cast the Executive Mansion into the shade and turn it much more into a presidential palace.”

— Edward Lengel, Former chief historian, White House Historical Association (CNN)

What’s next

The Commission of Fine Arts will decide whether to consider replacing the White House's Ionic columns with Corinthian columns at a future meeting.

The takeaway

The proposal to alter the iconic White House architecture has sparked debate over preserving the building's historical character versus embracing a more ornate, Trump-favored design. This reflects the ongoing tension between tradition and the former president's vision for the People's House.