{"id":3221,"date":"2026-06-20T16:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T16:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=3221"},"modified":"2026-06-20T16:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T16:04:28","slug":"algae-peeling-blue-material-conspiracy-theories-reflecting-pool-takes-national-spotlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=3221","title":{"rendered":"Algae, peeling blue material, conspiracy theories: Reflecting Pool takes national spotlight"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<div> <div>\n<button>\n<strong>\n<span><svg>\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n<span>Summary<\/span>\n<\/strong>\n<span><svg><\/svg>\n<\/span>\n<span><svg><\/svg>\n<\/span>\n<\/button>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>President Donald Trump&#8217;s $14 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become a national spectacle ahead of July 4.<\/li>\n<li>The project faces persistent algae problems and peeling blue material despite Interior Department claims the water is crystal clear.<\/li>\n<li>Tourists and politicians have flocked to the site as conspiracy theories swirl about the troubled renovation effort.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<span>AI-generated summary was reviewed by a CNN editor.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            Earlier this year, President Donald Trump described the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as \u201cabsolutely filthy,\u201d vowing to clean up the iconic landmark and make it \u201clook gorgeous, beautiful\u201d so it again reflects the federal monuments around it.\n    <\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=3203\">Inside Trump\u2019s mad dash to sign an agreement with Iran<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n            The $14 million renovation became a pet project for the president, symbolizing his efforts to beautify Washington, DC, with architectural changes that have also included building a White House ballroom and refurbishing run-down fountains in the nation\u2019s capital ahead of the America 250 celebrations.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            But with July 4 fast approaching, the pool that sits near the feet of Abraham Lincoln\u2019s statue has instead come to reflect the deep divisions over those beautification efforts \u2014 and Trump\u2019s presidency itself \u2014 after the renovation project has been set back by a persistent algae problem and the peeling of a blue material from the repainted bottom of the pool.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Trump on Friday echoed claims that have surfaced in right-wing circles that the pool\u2019s problems are a result of vandalism, and linked it to the etching of \u201c8647\u201d into the grass on the National Mall days prior, adding that law enforcement is investigating.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            \u201cWe\u2019ve had some real problems with Vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social, without citing evidence. \u201cThe 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.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Tourists and local residents alike have flocked to the site in recent days, shooting videos of the murky green water for social media posts that feature either a condemnation of Trump\u2019s presidency or a passionate defense of the effort to clean up DC. Some peeled off strips of the blue material to take as souvenirs. Others filmed federal workers pouring bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            On Saturday morning, some visitors stopped by the landmark on their jog, as they bicycled or as part of their overall trip to the nation\u2019s capital. Several of them took photos and videos of the pool, focusing in on the algae, while others loudly expressed their frustrations with the state of the pool as they passed by. On the algae at the bottom of the pool were a few tracings, including a smiley face. Meanwhile, federal employees worked on clean up efforts, vacuuming the algae with big hoses.\n    <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Algae floats from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3213\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fa8151bb11deefc37ad1146b7512a936-768x512.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fa8151bb11deefc37ad1146b7512a936-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fa8151bb11deefc37ad1146b7512a936-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fa8151bb11deefc37ad1146b7512a936.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>Algae floats from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Aaron Schwartz\/Reuters<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            \u201cYou can\u2019t make this up: after railing about waste, fraud, and abuse, the Trump Administration spent $14 million on a reflecting pool reno that\u2019s now peeling and chock full of algae,\u201d Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon said in a post on X. \u201cI\u2019m pressing to get answers for this embarrassing waste of resources.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            The Interior Department has dismissed the visible signs of algae that have only become more abundant as DC\u2019s warm, muggy weather fosters its growth.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            In a post on X Wednesday, the department\u2019s press office touted its efforts to clear out the algae and described the water as being \u201ccrystal clear.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            CNN has reached out to the Interior Department for comment and additional details on the clean up efforts.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            For now, what was meant to be a straightforward task to return the century-old pool to its intended glory has become a spectacle, drawing tourists to the shallow pool of water for the wrong reason.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Trump set out to accomplish the renovation that has eluded previous presidents in late March. In a post on Truth Social, he criticized the Biden administration for not taking on the project after a $34 million reconstruction effort under President Barack Obama proved to be unsuccessful.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            In the weeks that followed, Trump expanded the scope of the project and ordered cosmetic changes, including painting the bottom of the pool a shade of blue that resembles the American flag\u2019s blue field. The paint change immediately trigged a lawsuit from a nonprofit group, which argued that the project violates federal laws requiring the Interior Department to complete a consultation process that includes notifying the public of the plans and getting input from other federal agencies before beginning the work.\n    <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Lincoln Memorial is seen at the top as the blue coating of the Reflecting Pool continues, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)\" class=\"wp-image-3214\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6981e7a6897e2cf983b76abc56a8d7bd.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6981e7a6897e2cf983b76abc56a8d7bd.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/6981e7a6897e2cf983b76abc56a8d7bd-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>The Lincoln Memorial is seen at the top as the blue coating of the Reflecting Pool continues, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon)<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Alex Brandon\/AP<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Workers paint the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, as seen from the Washington Monument on May 17, 2026 in Washington, DC.\" class=\"wp-image-3215\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7c7b3028c95d27102605bee552bf1b5b.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7c7b3028c95d27102605bee552bf1b5b.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/7c7b3028c95d27102605bee552bf1b5b-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>Workers paint the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, as seen from the Washington Monument on May 17, 2026 in Washington, DC.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Graeme Sloan\/Getty Images<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            The president also wanted the project to be complete before July 4, an expedited timeline which the administration acknowledged drove up the total cost \u2014 nearly seven times as much as the initial estimate of $1.8 million.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Trump made a visit to the site to survey progress, and weeks before it was complete, he began celebrating by posting an AI-generated image to Truth Social of him and some of his Cabinet members smiling while floating in the pool.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            But just a day after the reservoir was filled with water, there was already quite a bit of algae visible from the water\u2019s edge.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            The Interior Department told CNN at the time that the algae is \u201cresidual\u201d and a normal part of the early process of restarting water flow.\n    <\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=3195\">Democratic states scramble to prevent potential Trump administration interference in their elections<\/a><\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been painted blue at the directive of US President Donald Trump, ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3216\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1ee6888bc5891c8b19c687c2cf0f136a-768x432.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1ee6888bc5891c8b19c687c2cf0f136a-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1ee6888bc5891c8b19c687c2cf0f136a-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1ee6888bc5891c8b19c687c2cf0f136a.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been painted blue at the directive of US President Donald Trump, ahead of the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Nathan Howard\/Reuters<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"In an aerial view from the Washington Monument, crews remove algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US independence, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3217\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/707cc57154cf65c025453b91c5fd0d16-768x432.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/707cc57154cf65c025453b91c5fd0d16-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/707cc57154cf65c025453b91c5fd0d16-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/707cc57154cf65c025453b91c5fd0d16.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>In an aerial view from the Washington Monument, crews remove algae from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from U.S. President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US independence, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Aaron Schwartz\/Reuters<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>An aerial view of the reflecting pool in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2026 (left) and June 19, 2026 (right). <\/span>\n<span>Reuters<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            However, within days, clumps of algae took over the pool, prompting the administration to send in workers to vacuum it out, install a filtration known as the \u201cozone nanobubbler\u201d and dump in gallons of hydrogen peroxide.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            To make matters worse for the Trump administration, earlier this week, blue material at the bottom of pool began peeling off. It is unclear if the material is paint or sealant or what caused it to come up.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Democrats online were quick to gloat.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia said in a post on X, \u201cSurprise, surprise \u2013 the corrupt sweetheart deal for one of Trump\u2019s buddies ended in disaster.\u201d He appeared to refer to The New York Times\u2019 reporting that the Trump administration gave a no-bid contract to an Ohio firm with ties to a Trump ally.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Former Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also weighed in.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            \u201cFound an imaginary problem, said only they could fix it, didn\u2019t listen to experts, hired buddies who grifted millions, failed miserably, bragged how great it went. The entire Trump presidency in a nutshell,\u201d Walz said in a post on X.\n    <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Material peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from US President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3218\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a3c75f2e6587434ae332448af99788a6.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a3c75f2e6587434ae332448af99788a6.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a3c75f2e6587434ae332448af99788a6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>Material peels from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after recent renovations following a directive from US President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 19, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Aaron Schwartz\/Reuters<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Workers clean algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after it was painted blue in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3219\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/88f673c9db47a45cb42b356f115c9500.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/88f673c9db47a45cb42b356f115c9500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/88f673c9db47a45cb42b356f115c9500-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>Workers clean algae from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after it was painted blue in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Aaron Schwartz\/Bloomberg\/Getty Images<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            Beyond lawmakers, the ongoing pool saga has prompted an online debate, filled with false claims and conspiracy theories.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Left-leaning social media users latched on to a clip of a Fox News personality defending the renovation, incorrectly claiming that he was describing the visibly green water as blue. (He was referring to the pool\u2019s bottom.)\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Meanwhile, on the right, conservative media personality Grant Stinchfield alleged that the excessive algae is a product of liberal \u201csabotage.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            \u201cIs it nefarious? I tend to think so,\u201d Stinchfield told his online viewers from outside the Reflecting Pool. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t have so much algae that you see in here, you would not have that, that quickly, unless somebody did something.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            A video posted by conservative influencer Nick Sortor on Thursday night has also garnered attention. The video appeared to show \u201c8647\u201d traced into the algae at the bottom of the pool. CNN could not independently see that tracing on Saturday.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Outside the pool, a collection of curiosity seekers and social media influencers have also gathered. One woman showed up with a banner painted with a green \u201cAlgae,\u201d chanting \u201cAlgae\u2019s smarter than MAGA.\u201d An independent journalist showed up to report on the purported theft of the blue material, claiming US Park Police arrested someone in the act. CNN has reached out to Park Police to ask about any arrests.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Meanwhile, visitors with no apparent stake in the debate have flocked to see just how green the pool is for themselves.\n    <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium_large\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"View of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from US President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 16, 2026.\" class=\"wp-image-3220\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4e9cbea26f4e659d7f79de3e0c39abf1.jpg\" width=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4e9cbea26f4e659d7f79de3e0c39abf1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4e9cbea26f4e659d7f79de3e0c39abf1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<span>View of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, after recent renovations following a directive from US President Donald Trump to paint it blue ahead of the 250th anniversary of US Independence, in Washington, DC, on June 16, 2026.<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<figcaption>Eric Lee\/Reuters<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n            Matthew Weimer of California, who was in Washington, DC, to visit friends, applauded the renovation.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            \u201cI think it\u2019s pretty great that somebody cared enough to do something about it,\u201d Weimer said. When asked about the criticisms the pool is facing, he said: \u201cThe people who are criticizing, what are they doing to make things better?\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            Qayla Sykes, who visited from Connecticut for a bachelorette party, made a quick stop at the National Mall to take in the spectacle.\n    <\/p>\n<p>\n            \u201cIt looks pretty gross. I\u2019ve taken about like 20 pictures already, especially of the people cleaning it, because I don\u2019t know if I\u2019ll ever see this again in my lifetime,\u201d she said. \u201cHopefully not.\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<div>\n<p>CNN\u2019s Sunlen Serfaty, Kit Maher, Dugald McConnell, Abigail Roedersheimer, Michael Williams, Devan Cole, Tom Foreman, Ben Krolowitz, Betsy Klein and Kristen Holmes contributed to this report. <\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/relocationtimess.com\/?p=3191\">After recent losing endorsements, Donald Trump hedges his bet in South Carolina governor\u2019s race<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Earlier this year, President Donald Trump described the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as \u201cabsolutely filthy,\u201d vowing to clean up the iconic landmark and make it \u201clook gorgeous, beautiful\u201d so it again reflects the federal monuments around it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3204,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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