Photos reveal algae, peeling paint at Trump's $14.8M Reflecting Pool as patriotic makeover begins to fade

Frustrated by recurring complaints about leaks and poor maintenance at the century-old pool stretching between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Trump announced a major renovation project to reseal and paint the concrete basin of the historic landmark. Trump put his own patriotic stamp on the project by selecting a deep navy shade called 'American Flag Blue' to repaint the Reflecting Pool. The renovations were initially estimated at $1.8 million, but the cost now appears to have risen to approximately $14.7 million, according to a contract summary of the Interior Department’s award to Atlantic Industrial Coatings.

After workers spent months repairing and upgrading the historic landmark, the renovation project ended just before the country’s 250th birthday. However, as soon as the renovation was completed, signs of trouble appeared. Green algae began to show up in the water, attracting visitors’ attention and raising concerns about the effectiveness of the restoration.

Concerns grew when sections of the pool's blue protective coating began peeling. Images of the deteriorating surface spread online, prompting critics to question how a project that cost millions of dollars could show signs of wear so soon after completion. The peeling paint became a focal point in the controversy.

As weeks passed, the pool appeared increasingly distressed. Dust, debris, discoloration, and other visible issues left parts of the landmark looking far from its freshly renovated state. The pool is plagued by several other problems, including leaky and broken pipes that often leave it disconnected from its filtration system. According to the New York Times, these issues were not addressed by the recent renovations.

The DOI has deployed both a hydrogen peroxide treatment and 'nanobubble' ozone technology, a spokesperson said, to help reduce the discoloration and filth that have marred the pool’s waters in recent days. As maintenance crews worked to improve conditions, Trump blamed vandalism for much of the damage and noted several arrests made near the site. 'The algae is 75 per cent gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied. The area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small section and will be fixed early next week,' he wrote on social media.