President Donald Trump's attempt at bringing the Lincoln Reflecting Pool back to glory for America's 250th celebration has apparently gone awry because after $14 million in repairs, it has more algae than it has had in five years.
A test this weekend discovered more chlorophyll than in any June snapshot since 2021.
What went wrong? While many quickly suspected a rushed job, shoddy work and poor oversight of the project, an Interior Department spokesperson said the algae is a normal part of the pool reopening after being shut down for repairs.
“What you are seeing is residual algae from the supply lines, which have been sitting dormant for eight weeks while construction has been taking place. It’s part of the normal startup process. We are removing the algae, and the nanobubblers will maintain the pool and keep it algae free,” communications director Kate Martin said in a statement to CNN.
“President Donald J. Trump is an expert builder who has fixed the Reflecting Pool for good unlike the failed and extremely costly attempt by Obama and Biden,” she added.
Rosalina Stancheva Christova, a professor of aquatic ecology who studies algae at George Mason University, confirmed the green algae in the pool is harmless but warns of potential harmful bacteria from other algae species introduced by birds.
Trump's decision to renovate the pool after criticizing its condition has drawn attention to the green water, sparking various online theories and late-night show jokes. He visited the pool himself, and blamed vandalism for its current state.
"The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool. Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair. President DJT," he wrote on Truth Social.
US Attorney Jeanine Pirro has promised to prosecute vandals aggressively, with five arrests and citations already issued. Champion canoeist David Hearn, 67, was arrested for allegedly vandalizing the pool, but claims he only touched peeling paint.
The former Olympian was in the middle of a 52-mile bike ride when he stopped at the pool and was arrested.
Exclusive! RAW VIDEO. Man arrested for vandalizing Lincoln Reflecting Pool. He grabbed the hose that female National Park Service workers were using to clear the algae. Police and National Guard responded. Watch pic.twitter.com/oMIXFqKwEs
— emily miller (@emilymiller) June 19, 2026
In one of the posts about the Reflecting Pool on Saturday, Trump even lashed out at the media over the state of the reflecting pool.
"Lightweight ABC Reporter, Jonathan Karl, was seen sticking his hand into the Pool, and trying to rip the rubber off of the surface. The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied, and the area that was vandalized, fortunately, is just a small area of damage, and will be fixed early next week. It’s a shame that the Radical Left Lunatics, most likely Dumocats, who have spent their lives trying to ruin our Country, are free to do so. "
Karl had filmed a segment about the renovation where he touched a strip of peeling paint floating at the top of the pool. It's on ABC News’ YouTube channel.
