Trump blasts 'failing' NYT over Reflecting Pool revamp: 'It was a disgusting, garbage-strewn dump'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Friday, May 29, issued a statement criticizing 'the failing' New York Times for doing "everything possible to criticize the magnificent restoration" of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington.

It is to be noted that the project aims to rescue the landmark from being a "disgusting, garbage-strewn dump" by utilizing "professionals doing the right job," according to Trump, just in time for America's 250th Fourth of July anniversary celebrations.

Trump rebukes NYT for attacking patriot project

In a detailed statement, Trump pushed back against the NYT narratives surrounding the extensive restoration work currently being performed on the National Mall. 

While condemning the media giant for failing to appreciate the importance of the architectural overhaul, Trump stated that "The Failing New York Times continues to demean the work of these wonderful, talented, and proud construction professionals that are bringing this over 2,000-foot-long pool, the largest in the World, BACK TO LIFE!" 

Expressing deep frustration with the coverage, Trump highlighted the contrast between previously failed attempts to repair the infrastructure and the current efforts being spearheaded by his team. 

He noted that "hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent throughout the years trying to fix it, and even from its inception, in 1922, it never really worked!"

He further stated that the ongoing turnaround "is happening before your very eyes, and will soon be completed at a much higher level, and after doing much more work than was originally anticipated," despite the negative press.

Trump details decades of waste and structural decay

The restoration project has expanded significantly in scope as construction crews uncovered deeper, systemic issues.

Trump explained that "in addition to doing the interior Pool, we are restoring the walkway surfaces on each side, fixing the water system, drainage, and so much more — The scope of the Project has been greatly enlarged as we became involved because we realized how important it would be to Washington, DC." 

Trump heavily emphasized the severe state of neglect that characterized the monument before the current phase of professional intervention began.

He pointed out that it is "one of the most visited and photographed Pools in the world," but claimed that "when we took it over, it was a disgusting, garbage-strewn dump that leaked, smelled, and was an embarrassment to our Country, and two of our Greatest Presidents."

To highlight the engineering emergency, he revealed that "45,000 Gallons a Day of water was pouring out of its broken seams" and asserted the problem will soon be solved for a "small fraction of the Hundreds of Millions of Dollars that the Obama and Biden Administrations haplessly wasted."

Trump challenges NYT to fix its own 'broken shop'

Concluding his remarks, Trump redirected his focus toward the broader cultural responsibilities of major media institutions, suggesting that legacy outlets should prioritize national achievements over political division.

He lamented that unfair narratives are driving the press, stating "that doesn’t stop The Times from continuing its quest to hurt the reputation of those involved." 

He further advised that "The New York Times, which is doing poorly, should spend more of its energy on fixing its broken 'shop,” and celebrating America’s Greatness." 

To counter the media, Trump highlighted that he has "attached... statements made by Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, and others, talking about the FACTS" to prove how good the project will be when it opens for the "wonderful 250th Fourth of July Celebration!"