Trump Threatens ABC with Lawsuit Over Reflecting Pool Coverage: ‘I Like Their Money’

President Donald Trump is gearing up to sue ABC News, accusing the outlet of misreporting on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation fiasco.

“In describing the Vandalism that took place at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., ABC FAKE NEWS, one of the worst in the business, even paying me $16,000,000 for past bad and inaccurate reporting, failed to report that their close ‘friends,’ Dumocrats Obama and Biden, spent over 100 Million Dollars on the Reflecting Pool, and it never worked,” Trump raged on Truth Social. “In fact, it was rarely open due to leaks and stench. They wanted to spend 300 to 400 Million Dollars, but just let it ROT.”

Trump claims he shelled out approximately $16 million for the project, asserting it turned out well aside from the vandalism issues now being addressed. He insists the job expanded beyond initial plans, covering outer areas and sidewalks. “We are preparing lawsuits against ABC for false reporting. I like their money, which will be given to the U.S. Treasury!” he declared.

The Biden administration did not undertake significant renovations on the pool, while the Obama administration allocated about $35 million for a two-year renovation effort.

Trump has a history of suing or threatening various news outlets, a tactic critics argue undermines press freedom.

The Reflecting Pool renovation project, announced by Trump in April, has faced numerous setbacks.

It has taken longer and cost more than Trump initially indicated. Algae continues to proliferate in the pool, and the newly resurfaced bottom is cracking and peeling.

Trump attributes these problems to vandals who allegedly introduced chemicals into the monument and cut a 300-foot-long gash in the pool floor.

In another Truth Social post, Trump accused a “crazy pro-algae (likely paid) protestor” of targeting the pool, sharing an image of a demonstrator dressed in a frog costume.

At least five individuals have been arrested and another five cited for alleged vandalism at the site, according to NBC News.

One of those arrested, former U.S. Olympian David Hearn, denies any wrongdoing. “It's a completely unfounded accusation,” Hearn told The Daily Mail. “We've already heard many lies from this administration…That's just another lie.”

Hearn, a canoe slalom athlete, explained he merely touched a “loose flap of coating” out of curiosity before being arrested and charged with a misdemeanor.

Trump has suggested he may need to drain the pool again to proceed with renovations.

Despite ongoing issues with the Reflecting Pool project, Trump appears more inclined to discuss his construction efforts than international conflicts. Recent analysis indicates he spoke about his Washington projects 70 percent more than the Iran war between May 1 and June 10.

On social media, he mentioned renovations 35 percent more frequently than military matters.

Many of Trump's other construction initiatives in Washington have also encountered problems.

Lawsuits have temporarily halted work on his White House ballroom project and renovations at the Kennedy Center, which had to reverse Trump's attempt to affix his name to the institution.

The Justice Department is advocating in federal appeals court for the ballroom project to proceed, citing urgent renovation needs following an alleged terror plot aimed at a White House UFC fight that was thwarted.