Sheldon Whitehouse

The Kennedy Center disputed Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse's, D-R.I., whistleblowers' claims on contracts for and renovations to the performing arts center.

Whitehouse alleged that whistleblowers described the renovation effort of the Kennedy Center as prioritizing political optics over sound construction practices, Fox News reported Thursday.

He also claimed that renovations were rushed to satisfy President Trump's preferences, resulting in wasteful spending and improper contracting.

The claims Whitehouse made include that a newly installed bathroom floor was torn out because Trump disliked the tile color; steel columns were painted despite alleged rust beneath the surface; an $8 million flooring contract was awarded to a company with no concert hall experience; and renovations began before receiving congressional authorization.

Whitehouse argued that the claims showed "waste" in treating the Kennedy Center "as if it were a private renovation project."

Kennedy Center officials disputed the whistleblower allegations, arguing they are based on incomplete or misleading descriptions of renovation projects 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.

"As America's cultural center, the institution makes every decision guided by responsible stewardship and an unwavering commitment to its patrons and the nation it proudly serves," Daravi said. "We remain fully committed to transparency and to delivering the critical improvements that will preserve this institution for generations to come."

Later Thursday, the Kennedy Center confirmed that it had formally responded to Whitehouse's inquiry, giving him a detailed rebuttal of the allegations.

The performing arts center also cited a May 29 opinion from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that reaffirmed the institution's legal status outside the executive branch. The center argued that status is significant because Whitehouse's allegations suggested it violated federal procurement rules.

Kennedy Center officials dispute Whitehouse's argument that the institution was required to follow the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

The FAR governs executive agencies, but the Kennedy Center is overseen by a bipartisan board of trustees established by Congress, officials said.

According to the center, it consulted with the Office of Management and Budget and confirmed the FAR "does not apply, and has never applied" to its procurements.

The institution also said it recently adopted updated procurement policies to end any administrative confusion and increase public confidence in its contracting process.

Whitehouse's had also criticized an $8 million flooring contract, which Kennedy Center officials said had been presented without important context.

Officials said that it is not an $8 million payment, but rather a five-year blanket purchase agreement establishing a maximum spending ceiling, with money obligated through individual call orders only when work is needed.

The center also defended contracting with Low Country Flooring, saying the company was the only vertically integrated contractor in the Mid-Atlantic capable of sourcing wood directly from timber mills while maintaining the grain consistency and acoustic performance required inside the concert hall.

Officials also noted that any workmanship concerns are covered by standard commercial warranties requiring corrective work if necessary.

The center sent Whitehouse a formal response addressing his concerns after Fox News sought comment from both parties.

Whitehouse's office had previously told Fox News, "We have received no response from the Kennedy Center to the most recent letter, and no substantive response to any information requests dating back to November."

The Kennedy Center later confirmed it had sent its response to Whitehouse on Thursday morning. His office did not provide additional comment to Fox News on the issue.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.