The paint is peeling off the Reflecting Pool in Washington, following a renovation ordered by former President Donald Trump. Trump has alleged that this damage is due to intentional vandalism. “We’ve had real problems with vandalism at the beautiful Reflecting Pool,” Trump stated on his social media platform on Friday night. He further claimed that attempts were made to damage the newly installed inner surface and noted that the grass outside the pool was also affected.
Agencies responsible for the maintenance of the National Mall, including the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and Interior Department, have yet to provide a comment on the matter. Paint is visibly peeling from the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after renovations directed by Trump, which involved painting the pool blue as part of preparations for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The issue was noticed in Washington, D.C. on June 19, 2026, as captured in a photo by Aaron Schwartz for Reuters.
According to The Washington Post, Park Police apprehended an individual on Friday for allegedly peeling paint from the pool. However, this act alone does not account for the algae bloom and the vast areas of loose blue paint. Trump maintained that something malicious was afoot, similar to supposed chemical sabotage in other areas of the National Mall.
This stems from an episode the previous week when numbers “86 47” were etched into the discolored grass on the National Mall. Authorities have suggested these numbers might symbolize a threat to Trump, alluding to the slang meaning of 86 as “getting rid of.” Investigations are ongoing.
Trump’s comments arise amidst negative publicity concerning the state of the pool, which underwent restoration costing over $14 million in preparation for the America 250 celebrations. Despite these efforts, algae blooms quickly turned the water green again, contrasting with the “American flag blue” paint applied to the pool’s bottom. Federal workers used chemicals to control the algae, but large patches of blue paint have now detached, revealing the rocky surface beneath.