Trump Blames Vandalism for Reflecting Pool Issues After $14 Million Renovation

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was reopened after a $14 million renovation that aimed to repaint the basin a darker “American flag blue” and improve water quality. Within days of refilling, the water turned green due to a rapid algae bloom, and visitors reported visible peeling of the newly installed surface coating, with tourists handling loose fragments.

Newsweek

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that “real problems with vandalism” caused the damage, alleging unknown individuals used chemicals and that ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl was seen “sticking his hand into the Pool” and “trying to rip the rubber off of the surface.” He added that law-enforcement is investigating and that the algae issue was “75 percent gone” with repairs slated for “early next week.” The National Park Service confirmed the algae bloom, noting that shallow, sun-exposed water bodies commonly experience rapid growth, and described ongoing treatment with hydrogen peroxide and ozone filtration.

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White House adviser Scott Jennings called the alleged vandalism “absolutely true,” describing it as the work of “people that hate Donald Trump so much that they would go out and destroy our national monuments.” He labeled the vandals “broken-brained” and said he hoped “they get put in jail.”

Newsweek

Experts cited by the article, including John Wilson Jr., attribute the algae bloom to the introduction of fresh, chlorine-laden city water into a stagnant, sun-heated pool lacking natural plant life, a condition that typically triggers rapid algae growth. No evidence of chemical sabotage or vandalism has been presented, leaving the cause of the peeling surface material unresolved.

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• “I know every time you fill up any kind of body of water, whether it's a natural pond or a liner water feature, the minute you put fresh water into a stagnant situation, it's going to turn green,” — John Wilson Jr., President, Aqua Doc Lake and Pond

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• “You have people that hate Donald Trump so much that they would go out and destroy our national monuments. Vandalize the Lincoln Memorial, vandalize the grass. That's how broken brained they are.” — Scott Jennings, Former Adviser to President George W. Bush

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• “I hope they get put in jail.” — Scott Jennings, Former Adviser to President George W. Bush

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• “real problems with vandalism,” — Donald Trump, President of the United States (Truth Social post)

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National Park Service crews will continue hydrogen peroxide and ozone-based treatments while monitoring water clarity. Law-enforcement investigations remain open, and officials have said repairs to the pool’s surface are expected to be finished in the coming week.

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