President Donald Trump’s expensive makeover of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has turned into a public embarrassment after the newly painted pool turned green with algae and the blue coating began peeling away.
The renovation was meant to transform the historic pool into what Trump called “American Flag Blue” ahead of major national celebrations.
Instead, the project has drawn ridicule, criticism and fresh questions about cost, maintenance and whether the new surface was properly prepared.
The Reflecting Pool, located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was recently drained, cleaned, recoated and refilled after Trump complained that the water looked dirty and disgusting.
The makeover cost more than $14 million and was promoted by the administration as a long-term fix for algae problems that have affected the pool for years.
But within days of the renovation’s completion, the water began turning bright green again.
Workers were later seen standing in the pool, vacuuming algae and pumping green water out through hoses as tourists gathered to watch.
The problem became even more embarrassing when pieces of the newly applied blue surface reportedly began separating from the bottom of the pool and floating on the water.
Photos and video from the site showed blue material breaking away while crews continued the cleanup.
A swimming pool expert quoted by the Washington Post said that large sheets of coating can peel off when surface preparation is poor or when water gets underneath the lining.
The Interior Department has defended the cleanup effort, saying crews are treating the pool with hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone technology to cut off algae growth.
But on-the-ground images showed the pool was still visibly green in some areas, turning what was supposed to be a patriotic makeover into a viral political headache.
Trump later suggested vandalism or tampering may have contributed to the problem, while also criticizing ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl after Karl reported from the pool and showed the peeling surface.
No evidence has been publicly presented proving vandalism caused the algae or peeling paint.
Critics say the episode reflects poor planning, rushed work and excessive spending. Supporters argue the administration is trying to solve a long-running maintenance issue at one of Washington’s most famous landmarks.
The Reflecting Pool has struggled with algae before, including after earlier renovations. But this time, the problem is especially visible because Trump personally promoted the project and promised the pool had been fixed properly.
For now, the pool remains a symbol of both national history and political controversy.
What was supposed to be a bright blue showcase has instead become a green, peeling mess watched by tourists, reporters and critics across the country.
