Reflecting Pool repairs show new cracks and uneven color

Key Points:

• The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has reopened after its second repair this year, but new issues such as cracked or peeling coating and discoloration have been observed shortly after the reopening.
• President Trump praised the repairs as complete and claimed the pool’s bottom was coated in “American flag blue,” but reporters found light blue streaks and damaged areas, which officials attributed to vandalism and excess coating meant to be removed.
• Previous repairs in the spring revealed significant liner failures in at least 85 spots due to installation errors, leading to multiple repair attempts and controversy over the quality of the work.
• A company linked to Trump donor J.J. Cafaro secured the federal contract for the pool repairs, adding a political dimension to the project amid dropped vandalism charges and criticism of the installation process.
• Trump’s claim that Obama and Biden spent over $144 million on the pool is false; the actual renovation cost under Obama was $34 million, according to official reports.