Donald Trump has criticized what he called “Country hating sleazebags” after damage was discovered at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., and he shared details about what he says happened to the site.
The Reflecting Pool sits between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument on the National Mall, and the National Park Service has been carrying out temporary closures and repair work there in recent weeks as part of a broader renovation effort ahead of Independence Day events and the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The renovation reportedly cost $14 million and included plans introduced during the Trump administration to give the pool an “American flag blue” appearance. The pool was also closed at times for cleaning, liner work and other repairs after officials said the project had run into maintenance issues, including algae growth and visible wear.
In addition to the maintenance problems, federal authorities have said they have investigated alleged vandalism tied to the pool’s new lining material, and arrests and charges have been announced in connection with the damage.
But as the project neared completion, algae spread through the water, changing its deep blue look into a bright green shade.
Trump has since argued that the problems went beyond maintenance issues, accusing vandals of causing significant harm to the pool.
In a Truth Social post shared on July 14, the president said workers had drained the pool so repairs could begin.
“We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago.
“We wanted to wait until after the July 4th Weekend. The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs.
“The Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the water tight basin. It will be refilled and put back into service soon. These Country hating sleazebags should pay a big price for the damage done. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! President DJT.”
His remarks came after he made similar claims in another Truth Social post, where he also took aim at ABC News anchor David Muir.
During a report on World News Tonight, ABC said the pool had been drained again, with Muir stating that the issues involved “peeling paint and algae blooms.”
Trump rejected that explanation and responded on Truth Social with another statement.
“ABC Fake News and its shaky anchor, David Muir, said that the Reflecting Pool was drained to address Peeling Paint (there is no paint, it was slashed with a knife, or box cutter, high grade colored waterproofing liner – it was VANDALISM!) and Algae Blooms (also caused by Vandals, but removed long ago!).
“In other words, the story was FAKE NEWS, but heavily slanted away from the real cause of the problem, Vandalism. It will be fixed soon, and better than ever. 60 monuments and fountains have been cleaned and fully renovated in D.C., and crime is at record lows! Washington has never looked better, or been safer! President DJT.”
The White House and ABC were previously contacted for comment.