Joe Biden has mocked Donald Trump over the troubled renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, just days after Trump threatened that vandals could face up to 10 years in prison.
Biden made the remarks on Saturday, June 27, 2026, during a speech to Maryland Democrats in Hanover, where he attacked a series of Trump projects he described as “vanity projects.”
He pointed to the demolition of part of the White House East Wing to make room for a new ballroom, the move to place Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center, an arch planned in Trump’s honor, and the Reflecting Pool overhaul.
He said Trump had even gone as far as
“hiring his own pool guy to fix the reflecting pool,”
before adding:
“Whoa, what a loser.”
The Reflecting Pool renovation was announced by Trump earlier this year and was presented as part of preparations for the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026. The project was initially reported at about $14 million to $14.7 million, and included draining the pool, resurfacing the basin and painting the bottom “American flag blue.”
But within days of reopening on June 6, 2026, the pool drew criticism after the water turned green from algae and the new blue surface began peeling in places.
Trump blamed the problems on vandalism and alleged that chemicals had been poured into the water and that a long slit had been cut into the new coating. He also said anyone caught damaging the Reflecting Pool or other public monuments could be jailed for a decade, writing on Truth Social that the punishment would be
“fully enforced.”
However, Trump has not publicly produced evidence to support the broader sabotage claims. Reporting in recent days has shown a more complicated picture: Park Police and administration officials have said at least five people were arrested and five others were cited in connection with alleged tampering at the site, and one named suspect, David Hearn, was charged after reportedly reaching into the pool and touching a detached strip of material. On June 25, the National Park Service said a liner at the Reflecting Pool had been cut with a sharp knife or razor, though it did not identify a suspect.
Elsewhere in his speech, Biden accused Trump of corruption
“on a scale never seen before in American history,”
and argued that his successor had made billions of dollars from the presidency since returning to office.
He also criticized reports suggesting Trump wanted to compensate people connected to the January 6 Capitol riot. Biden said those who
“attacked the police”
and attempted to harm his vice president
“don’t deserve to be compensated.”
Biden closed with a message aimed at Democrats and younger voters, urging them not to be intimidated. Recalling something his father used to tell him, he said:
“Get up, pal. Get up, Joey. Get up.”
He then urged the audience to
“get back up”
and continue fighting for a country that gives
“hate no safe harbor,”
as the US approaches its 250th year since independence.
The White House and the National Park Service have both faced scrutiny over the Reflecting Pool project as repairs continue and officials try to stabilize the damaged surface before the July 4, 2026 celebrations.
The White House has been contacted for comment.