politics
Trump admits reflecting pool makeover was rushed but renews vandalism claim
US president on Truth Social concedes contractor had cut some corners to finish $14m renovation project by deadline
TL;DR
- Donald Trump conceded that his administration's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was rushed and that the contractor cut corners.
- He maintained that vandals were responsible for substantial damage to the pool's blue coating.
- Trump expressed disagreement with his appointee, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who dropped criminal charges against a suspect, attributing the damage largely to the contractor.
- Pirro's office stated that prosecutors obtained information about installation problems that undermined the vandalism case.
- The pool's renovation cost increased from an initial estimate to over $16 million and it remains closed.
- David Hearn, the former Olympic canoeist, was accused of vandalism but charges were dropped.