Shocking pictures show state of Reflecting Pool as mystery sign announces more changes
A sign put up by the Reflecting Pool has updated the public on what's next for the monument, days after Trump admitted he had no tangible evidence of vandalism
Fresh images have surfaced of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with mystery signs erected near the Washington DC monument indicating more work is needed.
Many were concerned when it was initially announced that the Reflecting Pool was next in line to receive a facelift from Donald Trump. In spite of claims the pool was in dire need of a makeover due to both structural and aesthetic issues, it seemed the President believed the changes needed to be made quickly and in time of America's 250-year celebration of independence on July 4.
In the weeks leading up to July 4, the pool was coated in blue polyurea by the US President's own 'pool guy' contractor, who was awarded the job in a no-bid contracts given out by the Trump administration.
It didn't take long for newly-painted base of the pool quickly began peeling, while an algae bloom turned the 'American flag blue' water a sickly shade of green; mere weeks before America's 250-year birthday.
Now, on Friday, August 7, signs appeared near the reflecting pool, stating that it would need to be drained - again.
This marks the third time the pool has been drained since the project began. Back in April, he told reporters, “Our job will take one week and will cost about a million and a half dollars.”
However, 15 weeks on, the new signs put up by the National Park Service indicate that the work may not be anywhere near completion. Additionally, Trump’s estimates have continued to go up as the work has progressed, to “less than $20 million.”
The entire project, much like Trump’s other renovation endeavour on the east wing of the White House, has ballooned in cost, and taken far longer than promised.
Part of Trump’s defence for the massively unsuccessful project has been claims that the pool was vandalised. As the blue liner began peeling off, four people were arrested and accused of vandalising the monument.
David “Davey” Hearn, a three-time Olympic athlete, was the only person charged with a felony. Last week, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro infuriated Trump after she moved to dismiss the criminal vandalism charges against him.
Instead, Pirro’s office said the peeling paint job was “a result of flawed installation by the contractor.” Trump pushed back, calling her decision a “terrible mistake” and saying that she “folded like an umbrella.”
On Sunday, Trump took to Truth Social in a remarkable turnaround, saying that the pool’s contractor had cut corners to finish the job.
“As with many jobs, there was also some contractor error done by rushing the job,” the president wrote. He claimed that the damage from this was confined to a “a very small area” and “relatively inconsequential.”
However, he also doubled down on his vandalism claim, stating that a National Park Service employee — whom he described as “a highly credible witness” — saw Hearn, 67, vandalise the pool “in broad daylight” by 'violently' ripping and tugging at the Pool’s coating.
“Numerous other events took place, including using an acid-like material on the just installed grass adjoining the Pool... There was substantial other damage to the Reflecting Pool, also but, unfortunately, there is no video or proof, other than the damage itself,” he added.
