The White House historic bowling alley is getting a $250,000 lighting upgrade under President Trump, marking his latest push to reshape the complex.
Contract Details and Contractor Background
The General Services Administration awarded the contract to Charles Mann Enterprises, a Washington firm founded by former NFL defensive end Charles Mann, who earned four Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl rings with the Redskins and 49ers.
The July 28 agreement, valued at more than $250,000, also includes an $8,800 add‑on for security escort services during construction.
Historical Context
The two‑lane Harry S. Truman Bowling Alley, originally built in 1947 in the West Wing basement, was later moved to the Old Executive Office Building in the 1950s, according to the White House Historical Association.
President Richard Nixon added a separate bowling alley to the White House residential complex in 1973, where he bowled with his wife, the association notes.
Previous Attempts and Political Hurdles
A 2014 Obama‑era renovation plan was scrapped after Republican lawmakers objected and the House inserted a funding ban.
During Trump’s first term, First Lady Melania Trump oversaw a restoration that returned the Nixon‑era alley to its original wooden lanes and upgraded wiring, machinery and interiors, with financial support from the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America.
Broader Trump‑Era Construction Push
Trump has overseen multiple high‑profile projects across the White House complex, including a redesigned Rose Garden with a white stone patio and founder statues, a granite helipad on the South Lawn, and a renovated Lincoln Bedroom bathroom.
He also championed a new White House ballroom and military complex, arguing it is essential for national security; the Supreme Court recently cleared the way for construction to continue while legal challenges proceed, a 5‑4 decision that did not rule on the project’s legality.
