The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has refuted claims made by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., regarding renovations undertaken during the Trump administration. Center officials stated that the senator's allegations mischaracterize key facts about the projects and procurement practices, asserting that the work addressed decades of deferred maintenance and complied with the law.
Whitehouse's office alleged that whistleblowers described a renovation effort that prioritized political optics and President Trump's preferences over sound construction, leading to wasteful spending and improper contracting. Specific claims included a $8 million flooring contract awarded to an inexperienced company, the removal and replacement of a bathroom floor due to Trump disliking the tile color, and steel columns being painted despite alleged underlying rust. Renovations were also alleged to have begun before congressional authorization.
Kennedy Center officials dispute these assertions, explaining that the renovation work was part of a long-term infrastructure renewal plan made possible by new funding secured under President Trump's tenure as Kennedy Center board chairman. They argue that the allegations rely on incomplete or misleading descriptions and misunderstand the institution's legal authority and procurement process.
"The Center has taken measures to responsibly and transparently stabilize the facility while preparing for the comprehensive infrastructure renewal that decades of deferred maintenance have made unavoidable, a project now made possible by our Chairman's [President Trump's] vision, which has institutional support and new funding secured," Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center's vice president of public relations, told Fox News Digital. "We remain fully committed to transparency and to delivering the critical improvements that will preserve this institution for generations to come."
The Center pointed to a recent federal court ruling from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, which reaffirmed its status as an entity outside the executive branch. According to the Kennedy Center, this distinction is crucial because Whitehouse's allegations suggest violations of federal procurement rules, specifically the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Officials confirmed that the FAR governs executive agencies, while the Kennedy Center, established by Congress and overseen by a bipartisan Board of Trustees, is not subject to it. They consulted with the Office of Management and Budget, which affirmed that the FAR has never applied to their procurements.
Regarding the $8 million flooring contract, Kennedy Center officials clarified that the figure represents a five-year blanket purchase agreement establishing a maximum spending ceiling, not an upfront payment. Money is obligated only through individual call orders as work is required. The selection of Low Country Flooring was defended, citing its capability as the only vertically integrated contractor in the Mid-Atlantic able to source wood directly from mills while ensuring the required grain consistency and acoustic performance for the concert hall. The contract was also noted to comply with federal small business requirements, as it was awarded to a certified SBA 8a contractor who utilized subcontractors.
The Center also addressed claims about decorative columns, stating the contract complied with federal small business requirements. Workmanship concerns, if any, are covered by standard commercial warranties. Disputes over reflecting pool repairs were explained as efforts to stabilize structural deterioration rather than restore the water feature. Routine design decisions for presidential boxes were characterized as standard preservation work.
Whitehouse's office, however, maintained that the Kennedy Center has not substantively responded to the senator's oversight requests, with communications director Meaghan McCabe stating they have received no substantive response to information requests dating back to November.