The White House has enlisted Meredith O'Rourke, a top Trump fundraiser, to help raise private funds for a proposed Potomac sculpture garden and a redeveloped public golf course. A fundraising brochure from the newly formed National Garden of American Heroes Foundation was attached to an emergency D.C. court filing and says the group is awaiting tax-exempt status. Although the administration has committed federal dollars, plans have not yet been submitted to required review agencies, and judges have pressed the Justice Department to produce internal communications amid preservationist lawsuits.
Top Trump Fundraiser Enlisted To Raise Private Money For Potomac Sculpture Garden And Golf Course Amid Legal Scrutiny
A rendering of a reimagined East Potomac Golf Course. - National Garden of American Heroes Foundation
One of President Donald Trump’s closest fundraisers, Meredith O'Rourke, has been tapped to solicit private donations for an administration-backed plan to redevelop a stretch of land along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., into a new golf course and an adjacent sculpture garden.
Fundraising Brochure, Tax Status And Court Filing
The National Garden of American Heroes Foundation — a newly formed nonprofit that the White House says is seeking private contributions for the project — included a fundraising brochure in an emergency filing to the D.C. District Court. The brochure states the foundation is still awaiting approval of its tax-exempt status and lists O'Rourke as a fundraiser for the effort.
Expanded Plans And Design Team
Originally described as a display of 250 statues marking 250 years of American history, the plan now reportedly includes additional features such as an amphitheater and multiple fountains. The lead designer is Michael Curtis, co-founder of the National Civic Art Society; the team also lists urban planner Dhiru Thadani, architects Michael Franck and CJ Howard, and sculptor Brian Kramer.
Federal Funding And Private Solicitation
The administration has already designated federal funds toward the garden — including $34 million from the National Endowment for the Humanities and $40 million included in recent federal legislation. The new foundation is seeking private donations to supplement those allocations as plans expand and as the administration pursues the lease of the public golf course on the site it wants to redevelop.
This rendering shows the proposed National Garden of American Heroes. - National Garden of American Heroes Foundation
Permits, Timelines And Industry Concerns
Despite the brochure and ambitious timelines, officials have not submitted plans to two key review bodies: the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission, both required to approve design and construction in the capital. Foundries and artists who applied to work on the sculptures say they have not received follow-up from the administration, and sources familiar with the effort told reporters that it is unlikely the sculptures could be fabricated and installed by the stated July 4 target date.
Legal Challenges And Judicial Scrutiny
Preservation groups have sued to block the administration's plans, arguing they lack transparency and required environmental and procedural reviews. At a D.C. District Court hearing, Judge Ana Reyes pressed the Justice Department to verify the authenticity of the fundraising brochure and to gather internal communications about its origin and authorization.
"When you have a pledge going out with pictures asking people for money, we are pretty far down the road," Judge Reyes said, adding that she did not want major changes to the grounds to occur while litigation is pending.
Political Context And Past Roles
O'Rourke, who served as Trump’s national finance director during the 2024 campaign, previously raised funds for other White House initiatives, including the East Wing ballroom project and Freedom 250. Trump appointed her to the board of the National Park Foundation, the congressionally authorized fundraising partner for the National Park Service. Senate Democrats have repeatedly asked for details about her fundraising activities and her role in those projects.
This unfolding effort — combining federal funds, a new private fundraising vehicle, and disputed plans to assume a public golf course lease — has heightened scrutiny from preservationists, lawmakers, and the courts as legal challenges proceed.
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