Trump blames vandals as Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool faces fresh problems

President Donald Trump blamed vandals for the deteriorating condition of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, recently restored at a cost of nearly $15 million. "...they destroyed the grass outside of the Pool, they've also done everything possible to hurt the inside surface that was just installed. No different than the chemicals that were used on the National Mall, they used something similar in the Reflecting Pool to try to destroy and demean our beautiful work," he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump assured his followers that the issues would be resolved soon, with algae already 75% cleared. "The area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week. It's a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocrats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so," he said, adding that law enforcement had been called in to investigate the situation. The renovation project started in April, and work was completed last week as part of America’s 250th anniversary.

The 80-year-old touted his administration's record in the capital, stating: "We've cleaned, renovated, and beautified over 45 Monuments and Memorials, 28 Statues, and 22 Fountains in Washington, D.C. Things are really looking good in our Nation's Capital, and add to that the fact that when I became President, Crime was rampant, and now, Washington, D.C., is one of the Safest Cities anywhere in the United States."

Trump's comments follow reports of an algae bloom that caused the water to shift between shades of green, with workers seen pouring chemicals, including hydrogen peroxide, into the pool in an attempt to bring it under control. By Thursday, further problems had emerged, with sections of the coating applied to turn the pool "American flag blue" visibly beginning to peel off. The deterioration sharpened accountability concerns over a project already controversial for its no-bid contract and the questions it raised about government spending priorities.

The President also clashed with ABC reporter Jonathan Karl, accusing him of contaminating the pool by dipping his hand in it and attempting to pull off the rubber surface lining. In the video, Karl appears to simply be reporting on the peeling paint responsible for the pool's blue tint. It is not the first time Trump has targeted the media over the pool; he previously lashed out at The New York Times for reporting that the project's cost ballooned from $1.8 million to $13.1 million, for what amounted to repainting it blue.