Fact Check: Is an image of Trump hidden beneath Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral social media post has sparked speculation after an X user shared an image of Washington, DC's Reflecting Pool appearing to show a giant submerged portrait of President Donald Trump stretching between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The image gained attention as work continues on the Reflecting Pool, which has long faced problems, including leaks, algae growth, and poor water quality. The renovation project has become a major focus ahead of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026.

Claim: Trump is filling Reflecting Pool to reveal a hidden image of himself beneath it

An X user, @Shem_Infinite, shared an image of Washington, DC's Reflecting Pool along with the caption, "When President Trump fills the reflecting pool to reveal the hidden image he had painted on the bottom." The post quickly gained traction online, accumulating more than 135,500 views and generating a wave of reactions from users across the political spectrum.

Among the responses, one user wrote, "MAGA seems to really love Trump's divisive nature. They don't seem to care at all if he attempts to bring the country together. As a matter of fact, what really makes them happy is pissing off anyone that's not like them. Under MAGA, we are the Divided States of America." The post sparked debate and commentary, with many users treating the image as a political meme tied to ongoing discussions surrounding Trump and his supporters.

The viral image also gained attention because it referenced the Reflecting Pool, a prominent national landmark currently undergoing renewed public scrutiny. 

Fact Check: False

The claim that a giant smiling portrait of Donald Trump has been painted on the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is false. While the Reflecting Pool is undergoing a major renovation, there is no evidence that any image of Trump, or anyone else, has been painted beneath it.

Notably, the X user later clarified that the image was fake, stating, "Naw it is just a little joke picture I thought would be funny to make. Sorry you got offended but it is pretty tame lol. Not meant to make people mad just to make me laugh."

However, it is true that the pool's basin is being coated in a bright blue color as part of the renovation project. The shade, described as "American Flag Blue," was selected by Trump and gives the pool a much brighter appearance than its traditional dark gray granite and concrete surface.

The Reflecting Pool was drained to allow crews to repair leaks, replace joints, improve waterproofing, and apply an industrial-grade coating intended to increase durability for years to come.

Trump has been closely associated with the project, having publicly discussed the renovation, selected the color scheme, visited the drained pool, and promoted the work as part of a larger beautification initiative.

The viral meme appears to build on those real developments by exaggerating them into a humorous and fictional scenario. By suggesting that Trump secretly painted a giant portrait of himself beneath the pool, the image turns an actual renovation project into political satire. The joke resonated online because it played off existing debates surrounding the renovation, including its cost, appearance, and Trump's personal involvement in the project.