Clinton calls out Trump for ‘incompetence’ and ‘corruption' over State Fair, Reflecting Pool setbacks

The state fair has faced criticism over low attendance, while the Reflecting Pool renovation has been dogged by algae growth
Hillary Clinton blasted Trump over Great American State Fair and the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool (Getty Images)
Hillary Clinton blasted Trump over Great American State Fair and the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Hillary Clinton wasted no time capitalizing on Donald Trump's latest controversies, launching a blistering attack that culminated in a one-pointed question.

The 78-year-old former Secretary of State accused Trump of "incompetence" and "corruption," pointing to the controversies surrounding his widely touted Great American State Fair and the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

The state fair, staged as the centerpiece of America's 250th birthday celebrations, has faced criticism over disappointing attendance, while the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation has been dogged by algae growth and a peeling coating.

Hillary Clinton moderates the panel talk
Hillary Clinton moderates the panel talk ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fundamental Rights: Fighting the Global Pushback’ at the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Clinton asks Trump a cutting question

The Former Presidential candidate took to social media to blast Trump, asking, "Why can't Trump clean a pool, or throw a real 250th party?”

“It’s not (just) incompetence. It’s also corruption,” she added, essentially boiling Trump’s fiascos down to those two words.



To bolster her argument, Clinton shared images that appeared to show thin crowds at the Great American State Fair, suggesting the much-hyped event had fallen short of the lofty expectations set by Trump.

She also reposted a statement from consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, which alleged that the Trump administration awarded more than $100 million in federal contracts and grants connected to America's 250th anniversary celebrations to a network of organizations linked to administration officials and political allies.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 28: (EDITOR'S NOTE: Alternate crop) U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House on June 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump today toured East Potomac Links Golf Course and visited the site of the proposed triumphal arch. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump returns to the White House on June 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. President Trump toured East Potomac Links Golf Course and visited the site of the proposed triumphal arch (Aaron Schwartz/Getty Images)

Turning to the controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been beset by algae after Trump's ambitious renovation, Clinton also shared a Wall Street Journal article titled, "The Company Cleaning Up the Reflecting Pool Says It Has 'Nothing to Hide.'"

"Greenwater Services got a no-bid contract and is party-owned by a twice-convicted felon who is a Trump friend," the story noted.

Clinton’s post came just a day after Trump shared an apparently AI-generated image on Truth Social depicting Clinton, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris wearing hats reading, “I Lost to Trump.”

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 14: Workers from Pearl Purity Water Solutions LLC work to clean up algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. The reflecting pool construction project started in April and work was completed last week as part of President Donald Trump’s plan ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Workers from Pearl Purity Water Solutions LLC work to clean up algae in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations on June 14, 2026 in Washington, DC (Katopodis/Getty Images)

Biden accuses Trump of corruption

Clinton’s scathing comments came on the heels of Joe Biden echoing similar attacks, saying his successor has personally profited off the presidency.

“Have you noticed that Americans are saying the economy under the Biden administration is a hell of a lot better than under Trump?” Mr. Biden asked the crowd at the Maryland Democratic Party’s Fight Back & Win summit.

“It’s not just his vanity projects — tearing down the East Wing of the White House, making room for his ballroom. Putting his name on the Kennedy Center. Building an arch in his own honor. Even hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool. Whoa, what a loser,” he said.

Biden then went on to detail how Trump has expanded his personal wealth while serving in office.

“It’s simply stunning to me. He has no shame. And, frankly, it’s embarrassing for the country,” the former president said.

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