Trump shows off Lincoln Memorial pool makeover after weeks of ridicule
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump has offered a fresh look at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, posting photographs of the landmark filled with water after months of repairs, controversy, and questions over the troubled renovation.
From Greg Wischer at the United States Department of the Interior: “I visited the Reflecting Pool this morning, and pictures are included below of the pool reflecting and the American Flag Blue color.
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) August 28, 2026
As you can tell, many of the photos posted in the New York Times articles… pic.twitter.com/P8bAskPKY2
In a Truth Social post on Friday, August 28, Trump shared an update attributed to Interior Department official Greg Wischer, who said the pool was partially refilled and was being prepared for reopening.
The president's post said the work was “coming out great” and that the iconic Washington landmark would be open again in a few weeks.
Trump shares new pool pictures
The photographs posted by Trump showed the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and American flag reflected in the water, a marked change from recent weeks when the basin had been drained for additional work.
According to the post, National Park Service staff and contractors have partially refilled the pool to flush its piping system for the first time in more than a decade.
Trump said more than half of the landmark's 58 water supply ports had become clogged after what he described as years of neglect under previous administrations.
He also said the remaining work was delayed until after the July 4 celebrations, when Washington hosted events marking America's 250th anniversary.
Troubled renovation drew national scrutiny
The Reflecting Pool's condition became a national controversy after the Trump administration launched a multimillion-dollar effort to repair and recoat it in “American flag blue.”
The project was awarded through no-bid contracts and was accelerated ahead of the July 4 celebrations.
Soon after the work was completed, algae appeared in the water and sections of the new lining began peeling.
The administration initially attributed damage to vandalism, and a former Olympian was charged in connection with the case.
Federal prosecutors later moved to dismiss the charge, saying information provided by the Interior Department indicated that flawed installation work and the rush to complete the project had contributed to the damage.
Administration continues work on landmark
Trump's latest post did not revisit the dismissed case but said the restoration remained ongoing.
The National Park Service has also been working to remove what Trump described as hazardous trees near the Lincoln Memorial and the pool.
The administration has faced continued questions about the cost of the project and its contracting process.
A National Park Service analysis found that Atlantic Industrial Coatings was set to receive a 20% profit margin on the no-bid contract, compared with the 6% to 12% margin considered typical for similar federal construction work.
The review estimated that the higher margin added at least $850,000 to the project's cost, though officials accepted it in part because of the tight deadline and the difficulty of the job.
The analysis also raised questions about whether the government had enough information to determine if the price represented the best value for taxpayers.
The contracting process drew further scrutiny because the work was awarded without competitive bidding, limiting the government's ability to compare costs from other companies.
