The federal government quietly awarded a no-bid contract — with a massively inflated price tag — to one of President Donald Trump’s favorite construction firms, according to a new report, which the president has strongly disputed.
The contract was to fix a pair of decades-old fountains in Lafayette Park, located across from the White House, which have sat idle for more than 10 years due to deteriorating equipment.
In 2022, the Biden administration reportedly estimated the work would cost $3.3 million. But, in January, the Trump administration agreed to pay more than five times that figure — $17.4 million — to Clark Construction, a Maryland-based firm that is also building the massive White House ballroom, according to The New York Times.
“They just took the cover page of my estimate and just added a bunch of money onto it,” Stephen Kirk, an independent consultant who calculated the cost of the refurbishment for the National Park Service in 2022, told the outlet. “I didn’t add those extra millions on there.”
The significantly higher cost estimate was reportedly partly a result of inflation being accounted for twice.
The National Park Service awarded the lucrative contract to Clark without soliciting competing bids, invoking a rarely used “urgency” exception typically reserved for natural disasters or wartime needs, the paper said. Contracting experts described this as unusual.
Unlike the president’s $400 million ballroom, which is funded by private donors, the fountain repairs are being paid with taxpayer dollars.
The Interior Department, which oversees the Park Service, defended its contracting process.
“The way this contract was awarded is above board,” department spokesperson Katie Martin told the NYT. “The urgency is to ensure this project is done well ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.”
Clark Construction told the outlet: “Our track record reflects the quality of our work and our commitment to integrity. We bid on work we are qualified to deliver and we follow prescribed procurement processes.”
The Independent has contacted the construction firm and the Park Service for comment.
On Friday, Trump posted a video on Truth Social showing the fountains in operation, with jets of water lit by colorful lights. “My Great Honor to have funded this project,” he wrote.
The following day, after the NYT story was published, the 79-year-old billionaire fired off a 334-word broadside accusing the outlet of misrepresenting the facts.
“Once again, The Failing New York Times has attempted to grossly mischaracterize what should be hailed as the restoration of Beauty and Grandeur to our Nation’s Capital as something else completely,” he wrote.
He added: “We want to have it complete by July 4th. Once again, people will come to the front door of the White House by walking through a magnificent Park befitting these Hollowed Grounds, not a dead, dirty, rusting, and very dangerous place like it was before we got involved.”
He said he was not responsible for overseeing the contract, adding that Clark is “highly respected” and completed the work under budget and ahead of schedule. “The New York Times should congratulate us, instead of trying to make us look bad,” he concluded.
The president’s attack came just hours before he was set to appear at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, where scores of reporters will be in attendance.
