President Donald Trump on Friday blamed vandals for the ongoing problems at the Reflecting Pool.
But his critics aren’t buying it.
This month, Trump unveiled his $14 million makeover of the Reflecting Pool, which sits on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.
He had the pool drained, the bottom painted “American flag blue,” and used what he called “highly sophisticated material, industrial strength, that could last for 100 years.”
But problems began just days after it was refilled.
That bottom seal is peeling off ― tourists are even taking pieces home as souvenirs ― and the once-clear waters are now green with a thriving algae population. Experts say that the new blue bottom may be part of the problem.
Mehmet Eser/Anadolu via Getty Images
Trump on Friday night, however, blamed “vandalism,” asserting that unnamed “chemicals” were used to “hurt the inside surface that was just installed.”
The president also falsely claimed the damage was limited to a “small area,” despite photos and videos showing that large areas of the pool have been impacted by algae and peeling paint.
Trump hasn’t provided any evidence of vandalism, but said law enforcement was investigating.
However, given his history of wild claims and conspiracy theories, his critics weren’t convinced.
A company linked to a longtime Trump ally received a $1.7 million contract to install a water purification system in the Reflecting Pool, bypassing the usual competitive bidding process. https://t.co/p5RR0uL3VW
— WarMonitor (@TheWarMonitor) June 20, 2026