Donald Trump’s assertions of vandalism causing damage to the Washington DC reflecting pool have been refuted following the emergence of new evidence.
The 80-year-old US President expressed his frustration on Truth Social after an algal bloom turned the water green in the water feature near the Lincoln Memorial, just days after a $14 million renovation. The pool’s bottom was dyed ‘American flag blue’ during the recent makeover, believed to have fueled the rapid growth of algae, a recurring issue over the years.
Recently, the painted layer began peeling off and floating to the surface, prompting some tourists to take pieces as souvenirs. Despite his previous criticism of the pool’s condition under Joe Biden, Trump firmly insists that vandalism is responsible for the recent problems.
Workers and contractors have been observed deploying measures to counter the algal growth, including using hydrogen peroxide, which inadvertently caused the paint to peel off. Video footage showcased the deteriorating state of the pool, with journalist Jonathan Karl demonstrating the damage caused by the renovation efforts.
In response to the video, Trump accused Karl of interfering with the pool and attempting to remove the rubbery coating. Ozone nanobubbles and hydrogen peroxide were utilized in the cleaning process, with assurances from the National Park Service that there are no harmful effects on the environment.
Beyond Washington DC, Trump escalated tensions with former European ally Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, alleging that she repeatedly sought a photo with him at the G7 summit and criticizing Italy’s role in the Iran conflict. This dispute followed Trump’s claims during an interview with an Italian broadcaster, which Meloni dismissed as fabricated, leading Italy’s foreign minister to cancel a planned trip to the US.
Trump’s social media posts, including one where he initially misspelled Meloni’s name, further fueled the disagreement.