The color from the bottom of the pool «Reflecting Pool“ of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, which was recently renovated for about $15 million, began to pull off Thursday (18/9), while a few days ago pool water instead of the expected blue had become green due to algae.
As Reuters reports, the historic pool was emptied and renovated under a contract without competition, worth $14.7 million, as part of Donald Trump's radical plans to reform the US capital. These plans include the demolition of the White House East Wing to create space for a new dance hall (White House State Ballroom), as well as the construction of a huge arch near Arlington National Cemetery for the nation's fallen and other distinguished Americans.
Paint was seen peeling from the floor of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, weeks after a $14 million renovation that included a new color President Trump called “American Flag Blue. ‘ pic.twitter. com/pCYznXROFF— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 18, 2026
The American president announced on June 6 that the work at the pool had been completedOn Tuesday, the workers dropped hydrogen peroxide in the pool to combat algae bloom in an attempt to unload the green color and restore the blue.
Renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, a high priority for President Trump, was completed last week, but the water has always turned green with algebra and paint is starting to peel. Jonathan Karl reports.
Read more: https://t.co/kZgQGWhJ4M pic.twitter. com/ItLHQd8Ter— ABC News (@ABC) June 19, 2026
"I want my money back after what I saw"Some visitors were not impressed by the sight. ‘I want my money back after what I saw.. I believe that our resources could be used much better elsewhere.I think this pool was beautiful before, before all that attention.“ a Colorado resident stated.
Went back to the reflecting pool with a waterproof camera. Here’s what it looks like underwater where a section has been peered up and was removed. pic.twitter. com/jWS9LtGGZE— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) June 19, 2026
Trump has been criticized for hastily bypassing design processes intended to maintain Washington's carefully shaped aesthetics as part of his renovation program. His government described this criticism as party spikes, while also praised the design capacity of the real estate entrepreneur.