Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Plagued by Algae and Peeling Paint Following Rushed Renovations
In the months since President Trump vowed to restore the century-old Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, the landmark has been plagued by problems ranging from bright green algae to peeling paint. The administration awarded no-bid contracts for the multimillion-dollar project to complete renovations in time for the country’s 250th birthday celebrations on July 4. When problems surfaced, the administration blamed vandals without evidence, claiming individuals slashed the pool with a knife or razors in the dead of night and dumped fertilizer to promote algae growth.
Contracts Awarded to Firms for Multimillion-Dollar Pool Overhaul
On April 3, Virginia firm Atlantic Industrial Coatings was hired via a no-bid contract totaling $14.7 million to repair leaking joints, waterproof the bottom, and paint the pool “American flag blue.” Contracting experts called the mechanism unusual and typically reserved for emergencies. Subsequently, Greenwater Services of Brookfield, Ohio, received a $1.7 million no-bid contract to install a water purification system, with its owner identified as a Trump donor and Mar-a-Lago neighbor.
Algae Blooms and Structural Failures Emerge Following Refilling
Days after the pool was refilled on June 4, clumps of green algae appeared due to dormant supply lines and the removal of temporary nanobubblers for a planned White House promotional event. Simultaneously, Park Service workers discovered holes, cracks, and peeling caulking, while chunks of blue sealant floated to the surface. Officials drained the pool on July 10 to clear July 4 firework debris and address the peeling coating.
Federal prosecutors initially charged four individuals with damaging the pool—including a former Olympian facing a felony charge and up to 10 years in prison—before dismissing the charges and acknowledging the damage resulted from a botched contractor installation. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated prosecutors were misled by the Interior Department, which concealed that the coating began peeling within two days of completion. Despite the reversal, President Trump doubled down on Truth Social, maintaining that the damage was a pure case of vandalism.
