16 jun 2026
Algae thwarts Trump’s $14.2m attempt to turn reflecting pool ‘American flag blue’
Administration had claimed algae at Lincoln Memorial pool would be cleared after the renovation, but it has proliferated amid warm weather Donald Trump ’s $14.2m bid to turn the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool from what the US president described as a “filthy” and “dirty” site into a “beautiful” monument has encountered a hitch. The water is green again.
across the coverage
The iconic reflecting pool, which stretches between Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument on DC's National Mall has turned green due to proliferation of algae in the water. It comes as the pool was recently reopened following renovation work ordered by Donald Trump that saw it painted American flag blue. Less than two weeks later, the paint is peeling off. Story by Camille Corcoran.
france 24The shallow, sunny waters of the reflecting pool are an ideal incubator for algae growth in the summertime. Experts say the recent renovation may have helped accelerate it. (Image credit: Chip Somodevilla)
npr
coverage · 3 outlets
- 20:44the guardian
Trump administration compares reflecting pool algae battle to Iran war
- 15:43npr
How and why algae clouded Trump's vision for an 'American flag blue' Reflecting Pool
- 09:57france 24
Paint from Trump renovation peels off Washington's Reflecting Pool
sitrep links out to every source. metadata only, no article text is stored here.