Blumenthal Blasts Trump’s Ballroom Builder for $17M No-Bid Lafayette Park Contract

Senator Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, is demanding answers after Clark Construction, the company behind President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, landed a no-bid contract to repair fountains in Lafayette Park — just across from the White House.

Originally, the National Park Service estimated the fountain repairs would cost $3.3 million. But the Trump administration’s contract with Clark Construction has exploded to $17.4 million, with no competitive bidding process. The administration justified the no-bid award by claiming an “urgency” exception typically reserved for wars or natural disasters.

Blumenthal’s letter to Clark Construction CEO Robert Moser calls out the “troubling questions” raised by these inflated payments and the firm’s lack of transparency. Clark Construction refused to explain how it was selected to build the ballroom or disclose contract terms despite Blumenthal’s earlier inquiries.

The senator is investigating whether this no-bid contract is an undisclosed reward for Clark Construction’s role in Trump’s vanity project. He’s also scrutinizing private donors to the ballroom and potential conflicts of interest involving contributors with business before the Trump administration.

Blumenthal insists the American public deserves transparency and accountability, warning that taxpayer dollars should never be used to bankroll the president’s personal indulgences without oversight. The senator has demanded Clark Construction preserve all related documents and respond by mid-May.

This latest revelation fits a disturbing pattern of Trump administration contracts bypassing standard procurement rules, enriching favored firms at the public’s expense. As investigations continue, the spotlight remains on how deep the ties run between Trump’s projects and the firms cashing in on no-bid deals.