Fact Check: Did Trump have photos and videos of Reflecting Pool vandalism?

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump reignited debate over the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool case after claiming he possesses photographs and video footage showing people cutting the pool with a box knife. The remarks quickly spread across social media, with supporters and critics clashing over whether such evidence actually exists. Let’s fact-check the claim.

Claim: Trump has photographs and videos of people cutting the Reflecting Pool with a box knife

An X user shared a video of President Donald Trump claiming that authorities possessed surveillance footage, photographs, and other recordings showing people cutting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner with a box knife.

In the clip, Trump said, "We have photographs or tapes -- like moving cameras, right? -- where people are on the side cutting it with a box knife."

Trump made the remarks while discussing the damage discovered after the $14–15 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool.

He had previously argued that the liner was made from material that could not be cut with a knife. However, prosecutors later concluded that the damage resulted from flaws in the contractor's rushed installation rather than deliberate vandalism.

Reacting to Trump's remarks, another X user wrote, "Trump lies that he has photo and video evidence of people cutting the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool with a box knife. No evidence of this exists. That's why the DOJ dropped charges. He's completely delusional and detached from reality."

Fact Check: The claim is false 

The claim is false. President Donald Trump said authorities had "photographs or tapes" showing people cutting the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner with a box knife.

However, he has not released any photos or videos supporting that claim, and no such evidence has been presented in court.

The White House previously referred to surveillance footage and images from the Reflecting Pool.

However, independent fact-checks found that the available footage does not clearly show anyone cutting the liner with a box knife or causing the damage Trump described. The administration also did not provide evidence proving that such footage exists.

The Justice Department later dropped the criminal vandalism case after prosecutors concluded that newly obtained information indicated the damage was caused by flawed and rushed installation of the pool liner, rather than intentional vandalism. 

Prosecutors did not present or rely on any photographs or videos showing people cutting the liner. Based on the available evidence, Trump's claim is false.