Story perspectives

Trump Blames Reporter for Reflecting Pool Vandalism, Repairs Planned

6/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump accused reporter Jonathan Karl of sticking his hand in the Reflecting Pool and attempting to remove its rubber coating.
He said vandalism damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and that repairs will start early next week.
National Park Service crews are using hydrogen peroxide and ozone filtration to curb algae after the $14 million renovation, while visitors report peeling coating and loose fragments on the pool floor.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump accused reporter Jonathan Karl of sticking his hand in the Reflecting Pool and attempting to remove its rubber coating.
He said vandalism damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and that repairs will start early next week.
National Park Service crews are using hydrogen peroxide and ozone filtration to curb algae after the $14 million renovation, while visitors report peeling coating and loose fragments on the pool floor.