Will Anyone Say 'Neigh'? Trump's $5M Taxpayer-Funded Gold Horse Cover-Up

The Golden Touch of the National Park Service

Donald Trump's fascination with gold is extending beyond the White House. The National Park Service has recently awarded a $5 million contract to a Maryland-based gilding studio to restore four bronze horse statues located near the Lincoln Memorial. This project aims to prepare the statues for the upcoming celebration of America’s 250th birthday. However, the contract was awarded without a full competitive bidding process, according to reports.

This development is part of a broader trend of costly upgrades in the nation’s capital. A study by NOTUS, a nonprofit news outlet based in Washington, D.C., revealed that the Interior Department has allocated at least $95 million for beautification projects around the district. Out of this amount, $20 million, including the horse statue contract, has not been officially reported.

The Restoration Effort

The restoration project focuses on updating the gold-toned coating on the horse statues, known as the Arts of War and Arts of Peace. This coating was last applied in the 1970s. While the primary goal is restoration rather than adding new gold, the project involves more than just gold leaf application.

Gold prices have significantly influenced the cost of the project. Since the start of the year, gold futures have increased by approximately 5.5%. Over the past year, they have risen by more than 36%, driven by geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Several Wall Street banks predict that this upward trend will continue in the coming years.

The horse statues will be covered with a thick layer of 23.75-karat gold leaf, highlighting their historical significance and enhancing their visual appeal.

Concerns About Transparency

While government spending on such projects is not unusual, especially with the upcoming semiquincentennial celebration, the lack of transparency surrounding the contract has sparked questions. One Redditor expressed concern, stating, “Bypassing competition laws for park restoration work is just naked cronyism.” They added, “I’m fine with cleaning/repairing statues, but Trump makes everything into a fraud/bribery scheme.”

The Gilders’ Studio, the company awarded the contract, is a well-known and respected firm. It recently completed the exterior of the Wyoming state capitol using a thinner gold leaf than what is being used on the statues. However, it is not the only company qualified to perform the work. Despite this, the project was awarded without a full competition.

The National Park Service cited the need to complete the work before July 4 as the reason for the expedited process. According to NOTUS, the notice for the work was only posted for six days before it was filled. Additionally, the park service did not conduct extensive market research to determine if the $5 million price was fair, citing the urgent nature of the requirement.

Additional Beautification Projects

Beyond the horse statues, the National Park Service has several other beautification projects underway in the District of Columbia. These include a $3.6 million contract to rehabilitate Logan Circle and spending over $5 million to repave the marble around the Simón Bolivar statue, which is located near the National Mall.

Many of these projects have seen their costs increase since the contracts were awarded, raising further concerns about budget management and oversight.

Conclusion

As the nation prepares for its 250th birthday, the focus on restoring historical landmarks has brought attention to the processes and transparency behind such projects. While the golden touch of the National Park Service may enhance the visual appeal of these statues, it also raises important questions about accountability and public spending. The ongoing efforts to beautify the capital reflect a commitment to preserving history, but they also highlight the need for greater scrutiny of how these funds are allocated and managed.