Greenwich Cited For 'Wasteful' Spending In President Trump's Annual Budget Request

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich was mentioned in President Donald Trump's fiscal year 2027 budget request as an example of what the administration described as 'wasteful' spending.

The town was highlighted in the request as the administration seeks to increase defense spending and reduce non-defense programs for 2027.

Under "Program Cuts and Eliminations," the proposal calls for cutting $3.3 billion from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).

"For the sixth time, the Trump Administration’s Budget proposes to eliminate the CDBG program, which has funneled money to many ideological pet projects and failed to target funding to communities in need. The program has been used for many projects that the Federal Government should not be funding, such as improvement projects at a brewery, a concert plaza, and skateboard parks," the proposed budget says.

More specifically, Greenwich was cited for how it has used its CDBG funding.

"The Town of Greenwich in Connecticut’s famously affluent 'Gold Coast' received nearly $4 million in CDBG funding in the last five years and spent it on wasteful projects such as theater arts programming and swimming pool renovations," the proposed budget says.

Trump and his late ex-wife, Ivana Trump, once owned a home in Greenwich. The property last sold in October 2024 for $31.5 million.

First Selectman Fred Camillo was asked about Greenwich's mention in the budget request last Friday during his weekly spot on WGCH's "Ask The First Selectman" with Tony Savino.

Camillo said he was unaware of the reference and laughed when asked about it.

"The president should take a look at his own spending. Greenwich is a AAA-rated town, and we have the lowest mill rate in the state of Connecticut," Camillo said. "He has enough problems going on in front of him and on his plate to worry about a town that's actually run pretty well."

Camillo went on to say, "I'll compare the way our town is run with the way they run an administration any day of the week."

CDBG is an annual entitlement grant program through which federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding is allocated to municipal and area nonprofit organizations.

Funding from the program is meant to support programs and organizations "working to create viable neighborhoods, decent housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities for persons of low-and moderate-incomes."

"It's really for people and organizations that don't have a lot of funds," Camillo said, noting in the past he has redistributed funds to organizations. "The whole point of it is to help organizations that need help, that do really well for the community and serve populations that are vulnerable."

The Town of Waterford was also listed in the budget request and criticized for a "wasteful earmark."

The president's annual budget is "considered a reflection of the administration’s values and does not carry the force of law. The massive document typically highlights an administration’s priorities, but Congress, which handles federal spending issues, is free to reject it and often does," the Associated Press reported earlier this month.

The budget request seeks $1.5 trillion for national defense for 2027, a 44 percent increase.

"The 2027 Budget builds on the President’s vision by continuing to constrain non-defense spending and reform the Federal Government," Budget Director Russell Vought wrote in his director's message. "President Trump promised to reinvest in America’s national security infrastructure, to make sure our Nation is safe in a dangerous world. The 2027 Budget upholds this promise and would ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world’s most powerful and capable military."

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