The final touches have been applied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's renovation, a project championed by former President Donald Trump. The $14.2 million makeover, which Trump initially estimated would cost $1.8 million, has been completed, but early public reactions are mixed.
Visitors have expressed underwhelm at the pool's colour, described as 'American flag blue' in specifications, and some noticed workers scraping algae from the bottom just days after it was filled with 6.75 million gallons of fresh water. A spokesperson for the US Department of the Interior attributed the algae to 'residual algae from the supply lines' and said it was part of the normal startup process, with a nanobubbler filtration system installed to prevent future growth.
The project's cost and contracting process have also drawn scrutiny. The New York Times reported that Trump steered a no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings Ltd, a Virginia company that worked on his golf resort but had no prior government experience. Trump had boasted of 'a guy who's unbelievable at doing swimming pools' who contacted him about the work.
Some visitors praised the renovation, with one saying it 'reflects beautifully'. However, others questioned the value, noting little visible difference from before. Trump, in a Truth Social post, claimed the public would marvel at the renovation for a century, insisting it was 'not a paint job' but a highly sophisticated, industrial-strength material.
