Trump blames ABC reporter and vandals for peeling Reflecting Pool and algae growth

Published June 20, 2026 1:01pm ET | Updated June 20, 2026 1:02pm ET



President Donald Trump blamed ABC reporter Jonathan Karl and vandals for the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s peeling seal and algae growth after the Trump administration’s $15 million renovation.

The pool turned bright green from an algae bloom following the installation of “American flag blue” coating at the bottom of the pool. In an effort to combat the algae growth, National Park Service workers dumped bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water. Shortly after, the coating at the bottom of the pool began to peel.

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