President Donald Trump has blamed the problems plaguing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool — including algae blooms and peeling paint — on “deranged” vandals armed with knives and fertilizer. But newly uncovered government documents suggest the landmark’s deterioration was already underway and known to workers, even as Trump administration officials touted the multi-million dollar renovation as a resounding success. According to documents obtained by The New York Times, workers found that algae-control devices installed in the basin, located next to the Lincoln Memorial, were not functioning properly. They also determined that cuts along the bottom of the 2,000-foot-long pool were unrelated to the “American flag blue” paint the president had ordered applied. An Interior Department spokesperson declined to address questions about the documents, but told the outlet that the water in the pool was “clear” and “reflecting beautifully.” The Reflecting Pool has been central to Trump’s broader effort to beautify and transform the nation’s capital. In April, he described the 103-year-old landmark as dilapidated and announced plans to resurface it with “American flag blue” paint. While he initially claimed the project would cost less than $2 million, the price tag has since exceeded $16 million, much of which went towards no-bid contracts.
Published: June 24, 2026 5:32 pm
Source: The Independent — Read original