Fact Check: Is an Antifa algae attack behind peeling paint at Reflecting Pool after its $14M revamp?

WASHINGTON, DC: Videos showing blue coating peeling from the floor of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 18 have gone viral online, fueling widespread discussion about the controversial renovation project.

Amid the debate, social media users have circulated a claim that an "Antifa algae attack" is responsible for the damage. The claim emerged after a $14 million Trump-directed renovation repainted the pool "American Flag Blue" in an effort to combat algae growth and improve its appearance.

Claim: Antifa algae attack caused paint to peel at Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

A viral Facebook post from a page called America's Last Line of Defense spread the claim that an "Antifa algae attack" caused the $14 million paint job at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to peel. The post stated, "The Antifa algae attack is now causing the $14 million paint job to peel, according to scientists working at the scene."

It also attributed a statement to Dr Joseph Barron, identified as "PhD HHr DtF," who allegedly said, "The algae contained a peptide that eats away at the compound that bonds the paint to the granite. The algae blooms were never the intended result. This was."

The post further claimed that Dr Barron criticized efforts to address the algae problem, stating, "It probably didn't help that the Parks Department used hydrogen peroxide to cure the algae problem. They were doing their best to fight the algae without understanding what was going on underneath. This was a sophisticated attack."

The Facebook post concluded by warning that the damage could be extensive, claiming, "The experts believe the entire layer of paint may have to come off. These people just cost the taxpayer millions."

Fact Check: Claim that Antifa attacked the Reflecting Pool with algae originated as satire

An examination of the claim found that the story about an "Antifa algae attack" originated from a satire page rather than a credible news source. The Facebook page America's Last Line of Defense openly identifies itself as satire. Its page introduction states, "The flagship of the ALLOD network of certified AI-free trollery and propaganda for cash. Nothing on this page is real."

The page's cover image also carries a disclaimer that reads, "Nothing on this page is Real. America's Last Line Of Defense (ALLOD) is a satire site along with its sister site America Loves Liberty. It was created by the well-known internet troll Christopher Blair, aka Busta Troll. It was created to monetize content from gullible MAGA and right-wing Facebook users." The image itself includes a watermark stating, "Nothing on this page is Real."

There are also no credible reports that Antifa poured algae into the pool. 

This is not the first time false claims have circulated about the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following its costly renovation. Recently, social media users shared a fabricated story claiming that authorities caught two Antifa operatives dumping buckets of algae into the pool. That claim also originated from the same satire network.

While the Reflecting Pool has experienced algae-related issues, experts say algae blooms are a common occurrence in outdoor water features and are not evidence of sabotage.