Former President Donald Trump's claim that he's raising $2 billion from Congress to "beautify" Washington, D.C., is factually inaccurate and lacks any verifiable evidence. There are no public records or statements from Congressional representatives to support this assertion. Such a large-scale appropriation for a project of this nature would be highly unusual and would have undoubtedly generated significant media coverage and public debate, neither of which has occurred. The statement should be viewed as unsubstantiated. While Trump has frequently discussed infrastructure improvements and revitalization projects, this particular claim appears to be unfounded and likely falls under his broader pattern of making unsubstantiated or exaggerated statements. Any purported plan would require extensive Congressional authorization, budgetary allocation, and public scrutiny, none of which exist in this case. Therefore, it's crucial to treat the claim with a high degree of skepticism.
Washington — President Trump on Friday said he plans to raise about $2 billion from Congress to work with a contractor to renovate the streets of , as his administration's federal anti-crime initiative is underway, filling the capital with police and patrols.
Mr. Trump spoke with reporters during a brief tour of The People's House museum, a relatively new museum and gift shop across the street from the White House complex.
"I'm giving out a contract very soon...we're going to be raising about $2 billion from Congress, and Congress is happy to do it," Mr. Trump told reporters, though he offered no other details about the request to Congress. "And we're going to wisely spend the money."
Mr. Trump indicated a general contractor has already been selected, Clark Construction. It's also not clear whether a bidding process for a contract took place.
"We're going to head out right from the Capitol and the White House and if you look at a circle, and go about three miles out," Mr. Trump said Friday. "It's going to be beautiful — all those light bulbs. You see the poles, they're rusting, and they've got different lenses on top. If you look, I mean, just looking at so many different problems. And we're going to have this place beautified within a period of 12 months. The streets are going to be re-topped."
Mr. Trump National Guard members in Washington, D.C., Thursday evening, handing out hamburgers that he said were prepared at the White House and pizza from a local restaurant.
