Trump Renovation Turns Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Green as Blue Material Peels Off

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, DC turned green with algae less than two weeks after President Donald Trump’s renovation, and CNN reported that some blue material at the bottom was peeling off days after the pool was painted blue and refilled.

“Some of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool liner appears to be falling apart The "American flag blue" coating appears to be peeling away in some sections”

ABC News

CNN said the network observed a flap of blue material partially attached to the bottom that was floating toward the top on Thursday at the National Mall, and it noted that it was unclear whether the material was paint or sealant.

ABC News

NBC News reported that on the west side of the pool Thursday, a small section of the blue painted surface appeared to be lifting away, exposing the darker unpainted layer underneath.

NBC News also said algae still remained visible along the edges of the pool despite ongoing cleaning efforts, as crews continued mitigation after the algae bloom discolored the landmark.

As the algae bloom and peeling paint drew attention, the Trump administration pointed to its mitigation steps, with ABC News reporting that the Department of the Interior declared that "advanced nanobubbler technology" had "very effectively killed the algae."

ABC News said that when it visited the Reflecting Pool Thursday afternoon, it found it filled with gunk and green algae-infused water, and it reported that the "American flag blue" paint job appeared to be falling apart with some of it peeling away from the bottom.

Al Jazeera

In parallel, NPR quoted Steve Goodale, a Canadian swimming pool specialist known online as "Swimming Pool Steve," saying, "It's called 'New Pond Syndrome.'"

NPR also quoted Rosalina Stancheva Christova, a professor of aquatic ecology at George Mason University in Virginia, saying the algae is "growing in excessive amounts" but is "not toxic or harmful."

The renovation’s price and timeline were part of the backdrop as the pool’s condition worsened, with CNN reporting that the project was ordered by President Donald Trump and that renovations were initially estimated at $1.8 million but appeared to be up to $14.7 million, according to a contract summary.

ABC News said contracts to resurface the reflecting pool and replace its filtration system were awarded without competitive bidding, citing Interior’s argument that the 250th anniversary created an "unusual and compelling urgency."

ABC News also quoted Interior contracting documents warning that delaying the award would prevent the National Park Service from completing the work in time to reopen for the 250th anniversary event series and could result in "serious injury to the Government."

Meanwhile, ZME Science framed the continuing problems as a struggle against algae, writing that the Reflecting Pool turned green days after a $14 million makeover and describing the administration’s use of hydrogen peroxide and "nanobubbler technology" as the start of a "war on algae".