Trump Rages Against ‘Sleazebags’ for Ruining Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
President Donald Trump unleashed a tirade against the “vandals” and “sleazebags” he claims destroyed his $16 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, insisting they “should pay a big price for the damage done.”
On Truth Social, Trump provided an update on the repair efforts, stating: “We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago.”
He noted that the slashes inflicted were 300 yards long, with the pool's floor cut and pulled upward with significant force by these alleged thugs.
The Parks Department had to drain the water to repair the watertight basin, which will soon be refilled and returned to service. Trump condemned the perpetrators as “Country hating sleazebags” who should face severe repercussions.
Last month, Trump’s “beautification” project turned into a disaster when the new “American Flag Blue” sealant began peeling off immediately after the pool was refilled. Algae blooms soon followed, turning the water a disturbing green.
Trump accused Democrat-aligned saboteurs of using a “box cutter or knife” to inflict damage, despite reports from journalists who found no evidence of such vandalism at the site.
He speculated that these bad actors might have even poured fertilizer into the water to promote algae growth, labeling it as “criminally made.”
Six individuals were arrested, with Trump reminding everyone that destruction of government property carries prison time.
Court documents revealed that the National Park Service reported an incident on June 9 involving a blade used to cut into the pool’s new lining.
Last Thursday, former Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to charges of deliberately damaging the monument after being apprehended at the pool's edge.
Hearn claimed he reached into the pool to inspect the peeling sealant and released a piece when instructed by a park employee.
His defense team and critics of the Trump administration argue that Hearn is being unfairly targeted while the real issue lies in the shoddy repair work, which involved no-bid contracts with minimal oversight.
Online court records show at least three others charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing paint from the pool, all pleading not guilty during their initial court appearances last Wednesday.
The Reflecting Pool remained closed during Trump’s semiquincentennial celebrations over the Fourth of July weekend, much to his frustration.
It has since been drained again for further repairs, with fences erected around the landmark and increased security measures implemented to prevent any recurrence of the issues.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are demanding explanations for how this situation unfolded, with Connecticut Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal calling it “a testament to incompetence.”
