President Donald Trump on Friday blamed vandals for the ongoing problems at the Reflecting Pool, but his critics aren’t buying it. Trump this month 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.”
Problems Emerge Shortly After Refill
Problems began just days after it was refilled. The bottom seal is peeling off, with tourists even taking pieces home as souvenirs. The once-clear waters are now green with a thriving algae population, and experts say the new blue bottom may be part of the problem.
National Park Service employees have been seen removing algae from the bottom of the newly painted Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 16, 2026.
Trump's Vandalism Claim
Trump on Friday night blamed “vandalism” in which 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.
Reactions on Social Media
Critics hit back on X, with comments ranging from sarcasm to outright disbelief. One user remarked, “Stop for a minute and think about how astronomically stupid this entire idiotic saga has been.” Another joked, “Antifa operatives are seeding algae in stagnant shallow bodies of water to embarrass the president.”
Others pointed out that Washington D.C. is “the most surveilled city in the world” and yet there is no proof of vandalism. Some accused the National Park Service of being the alleged vandals, while others simply called the situation “sad.”
Contract Controversy
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. This has added to the skepticism surrounding the project.
Many critics have labeled the episode #AlgaeGate, suggesting it has reached its “inevitable apogee.”
