Records: Kennedy Center Executives Charged Lavish Meals and Watergate Stays as Staff Face Uncertainty

As the Kennedy Center prepares for an abrupt two-year closure ordered by President Donald Trump, newly reviewed expense records show senior, MAGA-aligned executives charging thousands for upscale meals, champagne services and Watergate Hotel stays while staff confront job uncertainty.

Kennedy Center Expenses Under Scrutiny

Receipts obtained by The Swamp include nearly $11,000 for a single set of meals that listed three bottles of Veuve Clicquot at $175 each, shrimp cocktails, racks of lamb and cocktails. The tab identified Nick Meade (a former senior adviser to Ric Grenell now serving as vice president of governance), Rick Louhery (the center’s executive vice president) and Taylor Strand (senior head of marketing).

Some of those enjoying the expense account at the Kennedy Center have previously appeared on Ric Grenell's instagram, including on a trip to Montenegro and Croatia, including (second from left) Nick Meade and second from right Rick Loughery. / RichardGrenell/Instagram

Other charges include a $740 birthday celebration for Meade, a $400 delivery billed for an "Israeli Lounge," five invoices of $655 labeled "champagne services," and a $4,000 line for a "Chinese Buffets for the Ambassador."

Lodging expenses also stood out. Records show roughly $30,000 billed for stays at the Watergate Hotel for newly hired executives, contractors and Grenell associates. Examples include a $3,100, 10-day stay by Taylor Strand; a $4,771 nearly two-week stay by Lisa Dale, the center’s new head of development; and a $2,400, six-day bill for contractor Marlon Bateman.

This was the bill racked by Marlon Bateman for the allegedly financially ruined Kennedy Center, including a night he didn't even turn up. / Handout

Investigation and Membership Drive

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, has launched an inquiry into the spending, saying the institution risks becoming a "clubhouse" for allies. The investigation comes as the Center sent a membership renewal drive on January 20 offering tiers from $75 to $25,000, even as leadership declined to answer basic questions about staff layoffs, the future of the National Symphony Orchestra, the status of the Kennedy Center Honors, or refund policies if the shutdown continues.

Epstein Files, FBI Briefings And Media Tracking

Separately, the ongoing release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein has renewed scrutiny of federal agencies. Among the leaked materials was a July 2025 internal FBI "Daily News Briefing" that flagged journalists who reported on the bureau’s handling of Epstein-related matters, including The Swamp reporters Farrah Tomazin and Sarah Ewall-Wice, according to the documents.

Todd Blanche's other appearances behind a microphone have included a cosy chat with, of all people, Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorney. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Kash Patel, a senior White House official, has requested daily briefings on developments tied to the Epstein document releases. Critics say frequent briefings and attention to media coverage risk appearing like an attempt to control the narrative rather than focus on accountability.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Pardon Questions And DOJ Optics

Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team has filed petitions referencing potential co-conspirators and alleged settlements tied to Jeffrey Epstein. A resurfaced June 2024 video shows Maxwell’s lawyer, David Oscar Markus, appearing on a podcast with Todd Blanche. Blanche warmly described Markus as a "friend" and a top practitioner. Blanche, who once served as Donald Trump’s personal lawyer, later became Deputy Attorney General and oversees the Office of the Pardon Attorney. Blanche reportedly visited Maxwell and her counsel in Florida last July; weeks later, Maxwell was transferred to a lower-security facility where reports say she received certain accommodations. The Swamp reports these facts but does not allege illegal conduct—noting that the juxtaposition raises ethical concerns for victims and observers when clemency is sought.

There's even more to strip Peter Mandelson of: his title of

U.K. Fallout: Peter Mandelson

In the U.K., former cabinet minister Peter Mandelson — formally Baron Mandleson of Foy in Herefordshire and of Hartlepool in Durham — faces calls to answer allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein in 2009. News reports say he may be at risk of removal from the House of Lords pending further inquiry.

Lobbying, Political Cash And Events

Lobbying expenditures hit record levels in 2025, with roughly $5 billion reported, according to OpenSecrets. Ballard Partners — once an employer of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles — saw revenue jump dramatically to about $88 million for the year. Ballard’s president, Brian Ballard, who has longstanding ties to Republican politics, now holds a Kennedy Center board seat.

Campaign finance figures show Republicans entering the 2026 midterm season with substantial resources: MAGA Inc. reported $304 million available after raising $280 million in 2025, and the Republican National Committee held about $95 million in cash at year-end versus the Democratic National Committee’s roughly $14 million. Large individual donations included $15 million from Jeff Yass and $12.5 million from OpenAI president Greg Brockman.

Diplomatic And Social Events

Washington social life continued: businessman Gray Stream and New Orleans native Sarah Hebee were crowned King and Queen of Mardi Gras at a reception hosted by French Ambassador Laurent Bili. Attendees reportedly included GOP figures such as Rep. Steve Scalise, Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senator Bill Cassidy.

The Swamp says it will continue to track these developments and publish further reporting on expenses, investigations and the political networks involved.