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Oliver Dubs $16M Lincoln Pool Renovation Trainwreck; Trump Claims Sabotage

6/29/2026

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Summary

Story summary

John Oliver called the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation a trainwreck, noting its $16 million cost and a contract to a firm owned by John J. Cafaro.
U.S. President Donald Trump alleged sabotage, saying an unknown vandal cut a 350-foot slit with a box-cutter, but gave no proof.
Experts said cutting the liner would be difficult, called the repairs rushed, and observed that U.S. President Donald Trump drove his motorcade over the pool.

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Story summary

John Oliver called the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation a trainwreck, noting its $16 million cost and a contract to a firm owned by John J. Cafaro.
U.S. President Donald Trump alleged sabotage, saying an unknown vandal cut a 350-foot slit with a box-cutter, but gave no proof.
Experts said cutting the liner would be difficult, called the repairs rushed, and observed that U.S. President Donald Trump drove his motorcade over the pool.