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Donald Trump’s The renovated reflecting pool is back under the microscope after the midterms, with the latest findings raising eyebrows. The newly noticed lapses have brought the administration’s repair work under fresh scrutiny. Pool finishing has now become the center of attention.
Newly observed coating defects raise questions about Lincoln Memorial project
Washington Post Reporters found at least 20 uneven areas where the light blue stripes were breaking the promise of “American flag blue”. They also noticed at least 10 places where the lining appeared lifted, as well as bulges, repair marks and gaps exposing red tape.
The problem areas appear to be concentrated in the southwestern part of the pool, near the Lincoln Memorial. Crews recently worked on a perimeter expansion joint there. Two people familiar with the matter spoke to the Post. He said the National Park Service had noted uneven color in areas repaired last week.
However, the White House moved to counter the growing concerns. A spokesperson blamed “surplus coating” for the light patches, arguing that the discoloration would eventually “fade” or simply be “wiped off”. The spokesperson also dismissed the photos showing obvious cracks and peeling, and attributed them to damage caused by salvaged material or “deranged vandalism”. Authorities say pools remain “clear, clean, leak-proof.”
The renovation had raised red flags even before the latest discoloration surfaced. A 75-page inspection report obtained by The Post last month documented peeling, blistering, cracks and shrinkage on the pool’s surface. Even more concerning is that contractors were still applying the coating just 24 hours before workers refilled the basin on June 4, while the material required 72 hours to cure.
Trump unveiled the makeover in April. They installed blue coating over more than 300,000 square feet of area to keep algae away. But the latest finale quickly ran into trouble. Within days of June’s refill, the water turned green and blue fragments began floating on the surface. According to reporting highlighted by The Daily BeastOfficials deployed hydrogen peroxide to address the algae, which resulted in the death of three ducks.
The pool was repaired and refilled in October after an inspection identified 88 additional instances of damage caused by Army Corps of Engineers testing. However, Trump continued to praise the renovation, calling the pool “a work of art” that will eventually work.