Donald Trump has conceded that his administration's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool was rushed and flawed, while continuing to blame alleged vandals for the damage. In a post on Truth Social, the US president acknowledged that the contractor had cut corners to meet a 4 July deadline for the $14m repainting project.
Contractor Error Acknowledged
Trump wrote that "there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job," but described the resulting damage as limited to "a very small area" and "relatively inconsequential." He renewed his claim that wider damage to the pool's blue coating was the work of vandals, citing testimony from an unnamed National Park Service employee who allegedly witnessed former Olympic canoeist David Hearn tearing at the pool's lining.
Legal Battle Over Charges
The admission comes amid a legal dispute over the case. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a Trump loyalist, moved to drop criminal charges against Hearn and others, citing the botched installation by Atlantic Industrial Coatings as the primary cause. Trump reacted angrily, saying he disagreed "100%" with Pirro and that she had "folded like a cheap umbrella." Interior Secretary Doug Burgum also criticized Pirro, while her office disputed claims that prosecutors had withheld information.
Pool's Future and Cost
The pool, drained and repainted as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations, remains fenced off and is not expected to reopen before 10 September. Trump has floated various explanations for the damage, including algae blooms and a slit in the lining. The renovation, awarded without competitive bidding, has seen costs climb from under $2m to over $16m. Trump says work is ongoing and the pool will reopen shortly.
