WASHINGTON — The iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is receiving a new blue surface coating under a renovation project announced by President Donald Trump during a Thursday White House event.
Trump revealed that workers have already started applying an “American flag blue” coating to address what he described as severe water leakage from the existing granite surface. The president said the current pool was “leaking like a sieve” and needed immediate attention.
The renovation idea came after a German visitor complained to Trump about the pool’s poor water quality and unsightly appearance, the president explained. Trump said he personally visited the site with Secret Service protection to assess the situation.
“And I went over there with Secret Service in tow, and I said, isn’t that a shame? That’s terrible,” Trump told reporters while displaying photographs of the ongoing work.
This latest renovation adds to Trump’s efforts to modify Washington D.C.’s landmarks according to his preferences, including the White House East Wing demolition to create space for a new ballroom.
The reflecting pool sits between two of America’s most recognizable monuments and holds significant historical importance as the location where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Trump characterized the project as an example of smart business practices, explaining that he rejected the original proposal to replace the granite entirely. That plan carried a $301 million price tag and would have required at least three years to complete.
Rather than pursuing the costly granite replacement, Trump contacted swimming pool contractors from his previous real estate ventures. “I have a guy who’s unbelievable at doing swimming pools up the road,” the president stated.
The alternative approach involves cleaning the existing granite and installing a new “industrial grade pool” surface for $1.5 million, with completion expected within weeks. Trump emphasized the project will finish well ahead of the July 4th celebration marking America’s 250th independence anniversary.
During a White House drug pricing event, Trump spontaneously discussed the pool renovation for several minutes. He initially considered a turquoise color “like in the Bahamas” before settling on the contractor’s “American flag blue” suggestion.
“You’re going to end up with a beautiful, beautiful reflecting pool,” Trump promised, “the way it’s supposed to be, much better than it ever was.”
