Trump gave $6.9M no-bid contract to his ‘pool guy’ to repaint reflection pool under ‘urgent’ exemption
The Independent • • nation
Key Points:
- President Donald Trump awarded a $6.9 million no-bid contract to Atlantic Industrial Coatings, a company linked to his "pool guy," to repaint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue using a government exemption meant for urgent situations.
- The exemption bypassed the usual public bidding process, allowing the project to proceed quickly ahead of America's 250th birthday celebrations, with Trump selecting "American Flag Blue" to enhance the pool's reflection qualities.
- Experts have expressed skepticism that changing the pool's color will resolve longstanding issues such as sinking and algae blooms, which stem from its construction on marshland and filtration problems.
- Atlantic Industrial Coatings, based in Virginia, appears to have limited government contracting experience and no clear record of pool work, contrasting with Trump's claim that the company had previously worked on his properties.
- This project is part of a broader effort by Trump to refurbish Washington D.C. landmarks, including a costly White House ballroom renovation and proposals for new monuments to celebrate the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary.
