Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd
June 19, 2026, 11:44June 19, 2026, 11:56 am
The renovation of the reflecting pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC has already cost more than 14 million dollars – and it is expected to cost even more.
In addition to the ballroom and the planned Trump Arch, the Reflecting Pool is also one of the “beautification” projects around Washington DC that are high on Trump’s list.
Trump had previously described the condition of the pool as dilapidated and “polluted with feces.” In an extensive renovation project, all the water was drained and then the entire bottom of the pool was painted “American Flag Blue,” as Trump called it. This should enhance the mirror effect of the pool.
The algae bloom
The result looked different. Shortly after reopening, the pool was not blue, but green. An algae bloom had covered the entire pool. In itself, such an algae bloom is not surprising; this has also happened during previous renovations to the reflecting pool. However, it is suspected that the new darker subsoil and the associated increase in water temperature have had a particularly beneficial effect on the algae bloom.
Fight against algae
The green pool caused malice across the country. The countermeasures didn’t take long to arrive: employees quickly poured liters of hydrogen peroxide into the water to kill the algae. Workers were also on duty to vacuum up the algae. An additional filter system should also help combat the algae.
Video: Watson/Michael Shepherd
The next problem
While the fight against the algae is gradually taking effect, the next problem is already emerging. Material is now coming loose in places at the bottom of the pool. It floats to the surface in blue shreds and looks suspiciously like the paint at the bottom of the pool. There was speculation as to whether hydrogen peroxide, which is also used as a paint remover, was to blame.
However, given the concentration in the pool, this may not be enough to dissolve the color. The appearance of the blue scraps does not indicate a color-stripping effect either.
Instead it is probably a coating made of polyurethane, which is now peeling off in places. This is used in classic swimming pools to keep the pool tight and protect the subsurface.
However, applying the layer is considered quite delicate. If the surface is not prepared exactly according to specifications, the polyurethane compound will not adhere properly and will peel off again.
It is not yet clear whether this is a local defect or whether more material will come off. What is clear, however, is that the plan to make the reflecting pool shine like a swimming pool with crystal-clear water and a blue background was perhaps a little too optimistic from the start. (msh)
More videos:
This is what Trump’s Reflecting Pool looks like now
Video: watson/nina bürge
Here Trump is on Swiss soil for two minutes
Video: Watson
Gavin Newsom shoots against Donald Trump
Video: watson/nina bürge