Trump's Ballroom Chief and Allies Attend Major Russian Forum

WHO:

CNN - Rodney Mims Cook, Jr. is the US Commission of Fine Arts Chairman and Trump’s ballroom commissioner.

CNN - Candace Owens is a conservative podcaster attending the forum.

CNN - Steven Seagal is an American actor and attendee at the forum.

CNN - President Vladimir Putin is the President of Russia.

CNN - Marco Rubio is the Secretary of State.

CNN - Robert Agee is the President and CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.

CNN - Kirill Dmitriev is the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

CNN - Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate are influencers present in Russia.

WHAT:

CNN - Cook is the first US official to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum since 2017.

CNN - Cook stated he had permission from Trump and the State Department to visit Russia.

CNN - Cook participated in a panel titled “Russia–US: A Cultural Dialogue.”

CNN - Cook showcased design plans for the White House ballroom project and Trump’s “triumphal arch.”

CNN - Agee announced that Russian and American ice hockey players will face off in Moscow on July 1.

CNN - Owens questioned US support for Ukraine, stating “Americans are getting tired of funding and not knowing where the money is going.”

Alternet - Cook claimed his presence at the forum was to help restore churches in Russia.

WHERE:

CNN - The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) is located in St. Petersburg, Russia.

CNN - Cook's “dacha” is located in Atlanta, Georgia.

CNN - A settlement for 450 Western immigrants is being designed in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

WHEN:

CNN - The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum took place on a Wednesday.

CNN - The ice hockey match is scheduled for July 1.

CNN - The “shared values visa” was introduced by a Putin presidential decree in August 2024.

WHY:

CNN - Cook's attendance is seen as a way to explore potential business ties and cultural dialogue between the US and Russia.

CNN - Agee mentioned a “huge opportunity” for business projects between the two countries, contingent on improved relations.

HOW:

CNN - Cook presented graphics of the ballroom project during the forum.

CNN - Cook described his affection for Russian culture and architecture during the panel discussion.

(UPDATED June 4, 2026 19:42 UTC)

Rodney Mims Cook, Jr., the US Commission of Fine Arts Chairman and Trump's ballroom commissioner, made history as the first US official to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum since 2017, with permission from Trump and the State Department. During the forum, Cook participated in a panel titled “Russia–US: A Cultural Dialogue,” where he showcased design plans for the White House ballroom project and expressed his admiration for Russian culture and architecture. In related news, Robert Agee announced that Russian and American ice hockey players will face off in Moscow on July 1, highlighting a potential opportunity for business projects between the two countries.