Trump claims ‘vandals’ foiled his $14m revamp of DC’s reflecting pool. What actually happened?
Trump’s pre-Fourth of July renovation project has endured problems with algae, peeling paint and an inflating price tag
TL;DR
- Donald Trump's $14 million project to repaint the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool blue for the 250th anniversary has encountered numerous problems.
- Issues include algae growth, peeling paint, and a significant increase in cost from the initial $1.8 million estimate.
- A no-bid contract was awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a company that had not previously secured federal contracts.
- Another no-bid contract for the filtration system went to a Trump donor, John J Cafaro.
- The pool's historical gray color was intended to reflect the surrounding monuments; Trump wanted it 'American flag blue'.
- The Cultural Landscape Foundation sued, arguing the blue paint would cause 'aesthetic injury'.
- The pool turned green due to algae, which the Trump administration initially denied and blamed on 'fake news'.
- The paint coating began to peel off shortly after application.
- Trump blamed 'vandals' for damage and chemical contamination, claiming a large gash in the pool's facade, but reporters found no evidence.
- Several individuals were arrested in connection with the pool, including a canoeist who touched the detached liner.
- Trump stated that repairs would likely involve draining and refilling the pool.