WASHINGTON, DC -- On January 29, local activists and artists donned 18th-century French court attire outside the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to express their discontent regarding the premiere of Melania (2026), a film that has become one of the most costly nonfiction acquisitions, with Amazon reportedly spending $75 million on it. Of this sum, approximately $28 million was directed to the Trump family.
About 40 members from the grassroots groups Free DC and Hands Off the Arts protested against the documentary, which has faced critical backlash, brandishing signs with phrases like "Let them eat Whole Foods," "Let them eat cake," and "Authoritarianism -- get it faster with Prime."
With a cardboard three-tier cake and plastic champagne glasses in hand, the demonstrators cheered and rang bells as an organizer addressed the crowd through a megaphone: "When loan forgiveness is cut, and people must choose between rent and medication, our dear queen Melania says 'Let them eat cake.'
Shortly after, President Trump announced that the Kennedy Center, which now features his name prominently, would undergo renovations for two years starting in July.
The protest's location was initially set for the Kennedy Center Plaza; however, security measures forced demonstrators to gather at Triangle Park, a nearby grassy area, where they shouted at passing black SUVs.
"A huge thank you to Great Lord Jeffrey Bezos of Amazon Manor for having the audacity to produce this remarkable work of art for the mere sum of $75 million," exclaimed a man in a navy waistcoat and powdered wig, standing on a mound of snow.
Keya Chatterjee, executive director of Free DC, explained that the choice to evoke Marie Antoinette was intentional. "The individuals behind this project, Bezos and Trump, are showcasing a lavish spectacle at a cultural center that belongs to the people, funded as a memorial to a president who lost his life," she stated.
Chatterjee further elaborated on the stark contrast of the celebration amidst struggles faced by many, highlighting the absurdity of such extravagance in light of widespread hardship.
This is not the first instance where comparisons have been drawn between the current administration and the lavish lifestyle of the historical French queen. In recent months, Trump's White House refurbishments have been likened to "Versailles on the Potomac."
In response to the escalating authoritarianism, Chatterjee emphasized the importance of learning from successful anti-authoritarian movements, citing Serbia's Otpor movement as a prime example of grassroots activism using creative expression to drive change.
"They want us to feel afraid," she remarked. "Using humor and creativity in our protests can help counter their attempts to intimidate us."
This arts-centric protest saw collaboration between Free DC and Hands Off the Arts, a coalition advocating for the freedom of artistic expression. In November, this coalition organized a protest dance outside the Kennedy Center in response to perceived cultural encroachments.
Despite the bitter cold causing the protest to conclude early, organizers distributed playful fake Playbills for "Melanie Antoinette," featuring the First Lady in an extravagant wig.
"We are currently in the sixth month of a military occupation of our capital, but they need to understand that this is our home," Chatterjee asserted. "They cannot claim it. Our ability to use art to assert our presence keeps this capital in the hands of the people."
