Believe Trump's Kennedy Center Is Just Kid Rock and MMA? "You Haven’t Met Paolo Zampolli."
Paolo Zampolli, a prominent figure in the modeling industry who has transitioned into real estate, has dedicated years to advocating for Trump-style enhancements to Washington, D.C.'s iconic marble temple of high culture.
TroibNews 
Amid Donald Trump's assertions about the supposed flaws of the Kennedy Center, he has yet to provide clear details on his plans for the venue following his takeover. Conversely, Paolo Zampolli, a friend of Trump’s and a trustee of the Kennedy Center, has been vocal about his vision.
Zampolli, a figure from the modeling industry turned real estate developer whom Trump appointed to the Center’s board in 2020, has long advocated for significant enhancements to Washington’s esteemed cultural institution. His proposals include a marina for boat parking and water taxis at the entrance, a Cipriani restaurant on the upper floor, international branches in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, collaborations with astronauts in space, and lounges sponsored by various countries, including Qatar and Turkey.
He also believes the Center's grand hallway could serve as a dazzling runway for fashion shows. “We’re talking a high-level fashion show. Who doesn’t like that?” Zampolli stated recently. “Do it in the main hallway. 1,500 people. Three rows. It’s like a fashion runway. You could sell tickets and then do a gala upstairs for the VIPs.”
“I see the Center like La Scala of Milano,” he remarked with his distinct Italian accent. “So luxurious. So prestigious.”
This vision for the Kennedy Center stands in stark contrast to its 50-year reputation as a haven for devoted classical music enthusiasts. Yet, it diverges from the grim expectations of some liberals who speculate that Trump’s leadership might turn the venue into a site for monster truck shows or other gimmicks.
Zampolli's perspective deserves attention not solely because he’s a trustee but also due to how his glamorous New York sensibility likely aligns with Trump’s views, as Zampolli is credited with introducing Trump to Melania at New York's Kit Kat Club.
His involvement with the Kennedy Center began towards the end of Trump’s first term, following his relocation to a Georgetown residence adorned with a large portrait of Trump. Zampolli described frequently walking from the popular waterfront restaurant Fiola Mare to the Center, lamenting the cumbersome route that involved navigating traffic and an overpass. His solution? A boat service to ferry visitors between the restaurant, the Center, and the proposed marina.
“It’s not that difficult,” Zampolli noted, maintaining his board position through the Biden administration. “Why do all the people have to just stop their boats in front of Fiola Mare?”
However, the proposal did not materialize, which Zampolli attributed to the “idiotic” bureaucratic processes that he felt stifled innovative ideas. “They are a waste of space, waste of time,” he asserted. “How many times can you chase people to give them the most amazing idea? Remember, after all, it's about bringing people to the Center.”
With a change in leadership, Zampolli anticipates quicker progress on “all the amazing idea proposals that were neglected.”
Consider the potential fashion show: Zampolli envisions a tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy featuring clothing by Valentino, the renowned Italian designer known for dressing the former first lady. “He was the tailor of my mother,” Zampolli recalled about the 93-year-old fashion icon.
Beyond bringing global interest to the Kennedy Center, Zampolli aims to project the Center's identity worldwide through franchises and partnerships. “One of the things I worked really hard [on] was to franchise the name,” he said. “Very simple, like the Louvre in Abu Dhabi,” where the famous museum established a location in the UAE in 2007. “I don’t know the financial details, but for sure it was a lucrative operation — and advancing the brand.”
Zampolli advocates for higher quality dining experiences at the Center, suggesting that the upper-level restaurant should feature a luxurious option. In a Feb. 10 email to then-President Deborah Rutter, he proposed Cipriani as the new dining establishment.
“It’s very bad, disgusting,” he critiqued the current offerings, recalling a past fundraiser where “I think they went to Costco to buy the plate of cheese.” He similarly lamented the low-quality drink options, exclaiming, “These idiots! They put in wine vending machines. Wine vending machines! In this beautiful hall.”
As a real estate entrepreneur, Zampolli is also interested in expanding the Kennedy Center’s footprint, particularly regarding Theodore Roosevelt Island, a cherished local park currently traversed by walking trails. He describes the memorial to Roosevelt as “a cemetery for trees” and proposed constructing a bridge connecting the Center to the island. “We have to clean it up,” he said, also advocating for the establishment of an arts academy affiliated with the Center.
Despite his ambitious proposals, Zampolli has expressed admiration for the Kennedy Center building, designed by the late architect Edward Durell Stone, which some locals have derided as reminiscent of a giant pizza box. He has even suggested seeking UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Center.
In conversations, Zampolli has remained focused on real estate, fashion, and spectacle, refraining from commentary on the Center’s programming. He even spoke positively about David Rubenstein, the philanthropic giant whom Trump removed from his leadership role. “I’m not a music director,” he conceded. “I’m not the biggest expert on opera. But I understand the potential of the Kennedy Center to make it into the real deal.”
The responsibility for that potential now falls to Ric Grenell, a longtime Trump ally with limited experience in arts administration, but Zampolli is optimistic. “Ambassador Grenell, like me, is a true soldier of the president,” he remarked, recalling a Jan. 5 email he sent Rutter suggesting that, in celebration of the upcoming inauguration, the Center’s café should serve Diet Coke and McDonald’s instead of sushi. Rutter had confirmed they already offered those fast food options.
In discussions, Zampolli has largely steered clear of partisan remarks and culture-war invectives. His proposals for the Kennedy Center avoid the contentious rhetoric associated with Trump's takeover, which once prompted suggestions from Steve Bannon for the venue to host a chorus of January 6 prisoners.
However, avoiding extreme ideas doesn’t automatically translate to responsible management of a significant cultural institution.
The broader concern for the Kennedy Center amid the political upheaval lies in financial stability. Federal funding provided only about $44 million of the Center’s $268 million budget last year. The remainder is sourced from board-generated donations and ticket sales, posing a challenge given Trump's limited philanthropic record compared to Rubenstein’s legacy. Furthermore, significant segments of potential ticket-buyers might shy away from a venue becoming politically charged.
Could Zampolli's ideas surrounding fashion shows, boat parking, or upscale dining compensate for the loss of traditional classical music patrons? That remains uncertain, though Zampolli’s concept of sending artwork into space and auctioning it off to raise funds is certainly bold.
In an era filled with dire predictions, Zampolli’s reassurance of the Kennedy Center's permanence offers a refreshing perspective. “Trust me,” he declared. “My Center is not going anywhere. Your Center is not going anywhere. Our Center is not going anywhere.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Zampolli, a figure from the modeling industry turned real estate developer whom Trump appointed to the Center’s board in 2020, has long advocated for significant enhancements to Washington’s esteemed cultural institution. His proposals include a marina for boat parking and water taxis at the entrance, a Cipriani restaurant on the upper floor, international branches in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, collaborations with astronauts in space, and lounges sponsored by various countries, including Qatar and Turkey.
He also believes the Center's grand hallway could serve as a dazzling runway for fashion shows. “We’re talking a high-level fashion show. Who doesn’t like that?” Zampolli stated recently. “Do it in the main hallway. 1,500 people. Three rows. It’s like a fashion runway. You could sell tickets and then do a gala upstairs for the VIPs.”
“I see the Center like La Scala of Milano,” he remarked with his distinct Italian accent. “So luxurious. So prestigious.”
This vision for the Kennedy Center stands in stark contrast to its 50-year reputation as a haven for devoted classical music enthusiasts. Yet, it diverges from the grim expectations of some liberals who speculate that Trump’s leadership might turn the venue into a site for monster truck shows or other gimmicks.
Zampolli's perspective deserves attention not solely because he’s a trustee but also due to how his glamorous New York sensibility likely aligns with Trump’s views, as Zampolli is credited with introducing Trump to Melania at New York's Kit Kat Club.
His involvement with the Kennedy Center began towards the end of Trump’s first term, following his relocation to a Georgetown residence adorned with a large portrait of Trump. Zampolli described frequently walking from the popular waterfront restaurant Fiola Mare to the Center, lamenting the cumbersome route that involved navigating traffic and an overpass. His solution? A boat service to ferry visitors between the restaurant, the Center, and the proposed marina.
“It’s not that difficult,” Zampolli noted, maintaining his board position through the Biden administration. “Why do all the people have to just stop their boats in front of Fiola Mare?”
However, the proposal did not materialize, which Zampolli attributed to the “idiotic” bureaucratic processes that he felt stifled innovative ideas. “They are a waste of space, waste of time,” he asserted. “How many times can you chase people to give them the most amazing idea? Remember, after all, it's about bringing people to the Center.”
With a change in leadership, Zampolli anticipates quicker progress on “all the amazing idea proposals that were neglected.”
Consider the potential fashion show: Zampolli envisions a tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy featuring clothing by Valentino, the renowned Italian designer known for dressing the former first lady. “He was the tailor of my mother,” Zampolli recalled about the 93-year-old fashion icon.
Beyond bringing global interest to the Kennedy Center, Zampolli aims to project the Center's identity worldwide through franchises and partnerships. “One of the things I worked really hard [on] was to franchise the name,” he said. “Very simple, like the Louvre in Abu Dhabi,” where the famous museum established a location in the UAE in 2007. “I don’t know the financial details, but for sure it was a lucrative operation — and advancing the brand.”
Zampolli advocates for higher quality dining experiences at the Center, suggesting that the upper-level restaurant should feature a luxurious option. In a Feb. 10 email to then-President Deborah Rutter, he proposed Cipriani as the new dining establishment.
“It’s very bad, disgusting,” he critiqued the current offerings, recalling a past fundraiser where “I think they went to Costco to buy the plate of cheese.” He similarly lamented the low-quality drink options, exclaiming, “These idiots! They put in wine vending machines. Wine vending machines! In this beautiful hall.”
As a real estate entrepreneur, Zampolli is also interested in expanding the Kennedy Center’s footprint, particularly regarding Theodore Roosevelt Island, a cherished local park currently traversed by walking trails. He describes the memorial to Roosevelt as “a cemetery for trees” and proposed constructing a bridge connecting the Center to the island. “We have to clean it up,” he said, also advocating for the establishment of an arts academy affiliated with the Center.
Despite his ambitious proposals, Zampolli has expressed admiration for the Kennedy Center building, designed by the late architect Edward Durell Stone, which some locals have derided as reminiscent of a giant pizza box. He has even suggested seeking UNESCO World Heritage designation for the Center.
In conversations, Zampolli has remained focused on real estate, fashion, and spectacle, refraining from commentary on the Center’s programming. He even spoke positively about David Rubenstein, the philanthropic giant whom Trump removed from his leadership role. “I’m not a music director,” he conceded. “I’m not the biggest expert on opera. But I understand the potential of the Kennedy Center to make it into the real deal.”
The responsibility for that potential now falls to Ric Grenell, a longtime Trump ally with limited experience in arts administration, but Zampolli is optimistic. “Ambassador Grenell, like me, is a true soldier of the president,” he remarked, recalling a Jan. 5 email he sent Rutter suggesting that, in celebration of the upcoming inauguration, the Center’s café should serve Diet Coke and McDonald’s instead of sushi. Rutter had confirmed they already offered those fast food options.
In discussions, Zampolli has largely steered clear of partisan remarks and culture-war invectives. His proposals for the Kennedy Center avoid the contentious rhetoric associated with Trump's takeover, which once prompted suggestions from Steve Bannon for the venue to host a chorus of January 6 prisoners.
However, avoiding extreme ideas doesn’t automatically translate to responsible management of a significant cultural institution.
The broader concern for the Kennedy Center amid the political upheaval lies in financial stability. Federal funding provided only about $44 million of the Center’s $268 million budget last year. The remainder is sourced from board-generated donations and ticket sales, posing a challenge given Trump's limited philanthropic record compared to Rubenstein’s legacy. Furthermore, significant segments of potential ticket-buyers might shy away from a venue becoming politically charged.
Could Zampolli's ideas surrounding fashion shows, boat parking, or upscale dining compensate for the loss of traditional classical music patrons? That remains uncertain, though Zampolli’s concept of sending artwork into space and auctioning it off to raise funds is certainly bold.
In an era filled with dire predictions, Zampolli’s reassurance of the Kennedy Center's permanence offers a refreshing perspective. “Trust me,” he declared. “My Center is not going anywhere. Your Center is not going anywhere. Our Center is not going anywhere.”
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
