Donald Trump announced that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is now fully operational following the removal of algae he described as being intentionally created by vandals. The US president attributed the damage to the structure to these vandals, noting ongoing issues with the pool despite a recent costly renovation.
Despite the pool being currently fenced off for maintenance and scheduled to be drained and resurfaced around July 4th, Trump proudly shared on Truth Social that the pool is functioning well with the algae issue resolved. He indicated that the pool had not been functioning properly until recently and assured that it would be in perfect condition again after the upcoming maintenance work.
Trump’s assertion that the algae was a result of deliberate damage coincided with a statement from a senior National Park Service official, who mentioned that the liner at the bottom of the pool had been cut with a sharp object post-installation. The necessary repairs, including draining the pool again and reinstalling the blue coating, have led to renovation costs exceeding the initial estimate.
The administration now anticipates spending around $16 million to address leaks and achieve the desired darker-blue appearance for the pool, well beyond the initial budget. Despite the challenges, work on the pool continues as it has been observed to turn green due to algae, with remnants of the blue coating and deceased ducklings found floating in the water during the maintenance process.