Trump claims ‘vandals’ foiled his $14m bid to revamp DC’s reflecting pool. What actually happened?

A National Park Service employee works to remove algae in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC on 20 June 2026. Photograph: Daniel Heuer/Reuters View image in fullscreen A National Park Service employee works to remove algae in the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in Washington DC on 20 June 2026. Photograph: Daniel Heuer/Reuters Analysis Trump claims ‘vandals’ foiled his $14m bid to revamp DC’s reflecting pool. What actually happened? Rachel Leingang Trump’s pre-Fourth of July renovation project has endured problems with algae, peeling paint and an inflating price tag Donald Trump’s rush to repaint the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, an iconic symbol of Washington DC , has hit roadblock after roadblock as the country’s 250th anniversary nears. The public has been gripped by the ill-fated $14m bid to renovate the reflecting pool, which the US president vowed to make “beautiful” in time for this summer’s birthday celebrations at the capital. Trump sought to turn the monument “American flag blue” in time for the Fourth of July holiday, awarding a no-bid contract to a company he said had previously done work on swimming pools at one of his golf clubs. But it has endured problems with algae, peeling paint and a ballooning price tag. The pool, built in 1922, runs more than 2,000ft between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. Martin Luther King Jr delivered his I Have a Dream speech in front of the reflecting pool in 1963. Trump claimed this renovation of the site would be far more successful than those which took place under other presidents. He even posted an AI-generated image of himself and other administration officials shirtless in the renovated pool (you cannot swim in the reflecting pool). Trump acknowledges ‘real problems’ at reflecting pool after $14m makeover, blaming ‘vandalism’ Read more But as an unmistakably green hue continues to cover the pool, the president is now claiming foul play. Here’s a rundown of his many claims about the project, and what actually happened. How much has it cost? Trump originally said the renovation would cost $1.8m to repair and repaint the reflecting pool. But the price has ballooned to nearly $15m, the federal contract shows . The Obama administration repaired and renovated the pool over the course of two years, ending in 2012, spending about $34m to address leaks, filtration and paint. The project also made the pool shallower to save water. Who took on the renovation project? The Trump administration claimed the work needed to be done at “Trump speed”, and bypassed the competitive bidding process typically required for federal projects and awarded a no-bid contract. This went to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a Virginia-based businessthat has not previously won any federal contracts. About $14.7m has been allocated to the firm, which Trump said had previously worked at his golf club in Virginia, though the company did not confirm this tie. View image in fullscreen Blue coating