The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, freshly renovated for America's 250th anniversary at a cost of $14.2 million, is headed for the drain. Donald Trump announced Saturday that contractors will likely empty much of the water to complete necessary repairs, with work expected to proceed quickly.
The troubled pool has become a headache since its recent overhaul, which included a dark blue coating on the bottom meant to improve its mirror-like quality. Algae blooms and peeling paint have marred the costly project, forcing Trump to acknowledge the reality of the problems even as he directed blame elsewhere.
In a Truth Social post, Trump attributed the damage to what he called "disgraceful vandalism," claiming multiple arrests have been made. Among those apprehended was three-time Olympian David Hearn, who told the Washington Post he was simply inspecting a peeling section of paint liner when US Park Police arrested him on a misdemeanor charge.
Trump provided no other details about arrests or evidence of additional apprehensions, and their existence remained unclear as of Sunday afternoon.
The president had initially praised the renovation's results, insisting the pool performed better than it had in a century. "It hasn't looked or worked like this since 1922, when it was originally built, but even then, it leaked badly, and didn't work," he wrote, adding that the new version "worked perfectly, including the mirror like finish, perfectly reflecting the two Great Monuments, which it never had before."
But maintenance has proven elusive. Trump alleged that vandals struck multiple times, including with what he described as "some form of knife or blade" that created a 250-foot gash and damaged extensive sections of grass. He also claimed chemicals were dumped into the pool.
The president referenced an earlier incident involving the number 8647, slang for "86ing" or canceling Trump, which had been etched into the lawn near the pool. He tied that act to the subsequent physical damage, though no official confirmation of the perpetrators or full details of their identities has been released.
The reflecting pool's troubles highlight the challenges of maintaining large outdoor water features, where algae growth in standing water presents a recurring problem even after expensive fixes. Trump's $14.2 million investment was meant to restore the iconic feature to pristine condition ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations next month.
Author James Rodriguez: "A $14.2 million renovation followed by immediate drainage is a tough look, especially when the president's own explanation keeps shifting from 'perfectly reflecting' to 'vandals everywhere' without the paperwork to back it up."
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