The Trump administration has approved approximately $250,000 in spending to install new lighting at the White House bowling alley, according to public contract records reviewed by Politico’s West Wing Playbook.
The General Services Administration (GSA), operating under the Executive Office of the President, awarded a nearly $253,000 contract on July 28, 2026, for lighting work on the two-lane Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley. The contract was issued to Charles Mann Enterprises, a Washington-based construction management firm founded by former NFL Pro Bowler Charles Mann.
A separate contract for $8,800 was awarded to the same contractor on August 18, 2026, for escort services to accompany outside workers through secure White House areas during the project.
The renovation project focuses specifically on upgrading the lighting system at the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, which is located in the basement of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB), adjacent to the White House complex.
The primary contract, valued at nearly $253,000, covers lighting work for the exclusive two-lane facility. While the exact scope of the lighting improvements has not been detailed in public records, the project represents a targeted upgrade rather than a full-scale renovation.
A separate $878,000 contract was also awarded to Charles Mann Enterprises on August 18 for an “EEOB basement studio project,” though records do not confirm whether this is directly connected to the bowling alley lighting work.
Representatives from the White House and GSA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the project.
The precise reasons for the lighting upgrade have not been publicly disclosed by the White House or GSA. However, the Truman Bowling Alley has a long history of renovations and maintenance projects across multiple administrations.
The bowling alley, which dates back to 1947, has required periodic upkeep throughout its nearly 80-year history. In 2014, during the Obama administration, the GSA proposed a complete rebuild of the bowling alley’s lanes, describing them as “irreparable” at the time. That proposal was canceled within approximately 90 minutes of media coverage amid political backlash.
The current project appears to be more limited in scope, focusing specifically on lighting rather than lane replacement or structural work.
The contract details are drawn from public GSA award records reviewed by Politico’s West Wing Playbook:
The $253,000 figure represents the contract value for the lighting work. It is important to note that this spending is part of standard government contracting processes and does not necessarily represent the total project cost or final spending amount.
Charles Mann Enterprises, the contractor selected for the project, was founded by Charles Mann, a four-time NFL Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion who played for the Washington Redskins.
The Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley has a storied history spanning nearly eight decades:
1947: The bowling alley was built in the West Wing as a birthday gift for President Harry S. Truman, funded by supporters from Missouri on his 63rd birthday.
1955: President Dwight D. Eisenhower relocated the bowling alley to the basement of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where it remains today.
1969: President Richard Nixon, an avid bowler, had a separate one-lane bowling alley built under the North Portico of the White House.
1994: President Bill Clinton oversaw a renovation of the Truman Bowling Alley.
2014: The Obama administration proposed a full rebuild after GSA declared the lanes “irreparable,” but canceled the project approximately 90 minutes after media coverage amid Republican criticism.
2019: First lady Melania Trump oversaw a restoration of the original wooden lane during Trump’s first term, with updated electrical wiring, new mechanics, and a fresh interior. This renovation was paid for by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, not taxpayer funds.
The bowling alley is reserved for White House aides and their guests, making it an exclusive facility not open to the general public.
The current renovation project has drawn comparisons to a similar proposal during the Obama administration that faced significant Republican opposition.
The 2014 Precedent
In July 2014, GSA proposed a complete rebuild of the Truman Bowling Alley, describing the lanes as “irreparable.” The project was canceled about 90 minutes after Time magazine reported on it following widespread criticism.
Then-Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus posted a mock budget on social media crossing out items like “the economy” and “securing the border” while placing a checkmark next to “Repair WH bowling alley.”
Former Rep. Pat Meehan (R-Pa.), who introduced an amendment to block federal funding for the project, compared the renovation to ice cream—a “want” rather than a “need.”
The Republican-controlled House adopted Meehan’s amendment to prohibit funding for renovating the White House bowling alley at that time.
Current Reactions
The project has been reported by multiple news outlets, including Politico, The Daily Beast, and People.com, though official responses from the White House and GSA have not been provided.
It is worth noting that the 2019 renovation of the bowling alley during Trump’s first term was funded privately by the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America, not by government funds.
The current project’s funding source—whether taxpayer dollars or private funds—has not been specified in available records.
The lighting project is proceeding under the awarded contracts. The timeline for completion has not been publicly disclosed.
The White House and GSA have not issued official statements regarding the project details or rationale. As with any government contracting, additional information may become available through public records or official announcements.
The bowling alley will continue to serve White House staff and their guests, as it has for nearly eight decades, following the completion of the lighting upgrades.
Confirmation Status: The information in this article is based on public contract records reviewed by Politico’s West Wing Playbook. The White House and GSA have not confirmed or commented on the project details. Contract amounts, dates, and contractor information are derived from government records and are considered confirmed facts.
The GSA awarded a nearly $253,000 contract for lighting work on the Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley on July 28, 2026. An additional $8,800 contract was awarded for escort services related to the project.
The specific reasons for the lighting upgrade have not been publicly announced by the White House or GSA. The project is part of routine maintenance and upgrades to the historic facility, which has undergone multiple renovations since it was built in 1947.
The Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley is reserved for White House aides and their guests. It is not open to the general public.
The original bowling alley was built in the West Wing in 1947 as a birthday gift for President Harry S. Truman. It was moved to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in 1955 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The lighting project is currently in progress following the award of contracts in July and August 2026. The White House and GSA have not provided public updates on the timeline or completion status.
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