Trump insists work on Reflecting Pool is complete – despite workers still at the site
Por Owen Scott — – World RSS Feed
Trump insists work on Reflecting Pool is complete – despite workers still at the site
Trump claimed that vandals had caused damage to the pool, with a former Olympic canoeist being arrested amid the controversy
Owen Scott Friday 09 October 2026 09:32 BST
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Work was still being carried out on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool a day after President Trump claimed that it was “totally complete,” according to a report.
The Reflecting Pool has been at the center of a months-long controversy, which saw Trump ordering the pool to be drained and repainted “American Flag Blue” – only for the lining to begin peeling off and bright blue algae blooms to appear.
Trump blamed the damage on vandals, with a former Olympic canoeist being arrested for allegedly damaging the pool before charges against him were dropped.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump declared that work on the pool was finished.
open image in gallery“I think they’re going to fill it up this week. The Reflecting Pool is totally complete, and we changed the old pipes,” he said. “We wanted to get open for July Fourth, and now we went and got rid of all of the old pipes, which we were going to do later during the winter.
“We did it, and I think it’s almost complete,” Trump added. “I’m going to visit.”
Atlantic Industrial Coatings, the firm handed a no-bid contract to restore the pool, also said on its website that work on the site was complete.
“All warranty repairs were completed Friday, 10/2/2026!” a message on the contractor’s website read. “It has been an honor to serve our great nation!”
However, journalists from The Washington Post saw that work was still ongoing as recently as Wednesday – a day after Trump said work was “totally complete” and four days after Atlantic Industrial Coatings said that all warranty repairs had been completed.
open image in galleryThe workers were spotted spraying material onto two sections of the pool’s interior, and grates for the center drain had not been placed.
Trump vowed back in April that repairs to the pool would be completed in time for the America 250 celebrations.
Trump blamed the appearance of algae and the peeling lining on supposed vandals, whom he claimed on Truth Social had made deep cuts into the pool’s surface and poured chemicals into the water.
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn was indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the pool, after the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, said at a press conference that he had allegedly “forcefully and violently” pulled the pool’s lining.
open image in galleryThe case has since been dismissed, and prosecutors have been barred from re-charging him.
Atlantic Industrial Coatings even told the Trump administration in reports that its own design and implementation had fallen short, noting that it applied too little primer due to “human oversight,” according to The New York Times.
The American flag blue liner also contained two “incompatible” chemicals.
The Independent has contacted the Department of the Interior for comment.
More about
America 250Truth SocialDonald TrumpLincoln Memorialjeanine pirroWashingtonWashington DC
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