Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he had inspected the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., and announced that repair work would begin immediately. The iconic site—recently renovated at a cost of $14 million, including a new blue-colored liner—has quickly deteriorated, with algae turning the water a vivid green just days after completion.
Algae Bloom and Structural Issues Persist
Despite the expensive overhaul, the Reflecting Pool continues to face serious problems. A thick algae bloom has stained the newly installed surface, undermining its visual impact and functionality. According to Trump’s post, he met with contractors the day before his inspection because much of the pool may need to be drained for urgent repairs.
Controversial Contract and Contractor Ties
The New York Times reported last week that a $1.7 million no-bid contract was awarded this spring to a company linked to John “JJ” Cafaro—a longtime Trump donor and Ohio-based businessman. Cafaro was convicted in 2002 on conspiracy and bribery charges related to a U.S. congressman and again in 2010 for making false statements.
Trump Claims Vandalism—No Evidence Provided
Trump claimed on Truth Social that vandals used “some form of knife or blade” to cut a 250-foot gash into the pool’s liner and poured “corrosive and destructive chemicals” into the water. He offered no evidence to support either allegation. The National Park Service has instead treated the algae with hydrogen peroxide—a method noted by the Wall Street Journal as effective for removing yellow discoloration, though not typically associated with vandalism.
Five Arrests, Multiple Charges Filed
A government official confirmed five arrests tied to alleged vandalism at the site. Five others received federal summonses, and 14 police reports have been filed—including one referencing Trump’s claim about the liner being cut. Olympic gold medalist David Hearn told the Washington Post he was among those arrested but denied any act of vandalism, saying he only touched a section of the blue liner that had already peeled away from the pool’s base.
A deceased duck floats in the algae-stained water—an image captured by Reuters and emblematic of the pool’s ongoing challenges. Both the peeling blue liner and visible algae remain prominent features following the recent renovations.