The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. begins refilling after recently completed renovation work, several outlets report. President Donald Trump announces from the Oval Office that the pool is being refilled following the project’s completion, with at least one report describing video shared during an Oval Office event showing water flowing into the newly painted basin. Other coverage says the administration expects the pool to be filled “any day now” or by Sunday.
At the same time, some reporting highlights early complaints from observers and tourists about the condition of the renovation. The Globe and Mail reports paint appears to be peeling from the bottom less than two weeks after Trump announced the job was finished, with peeling visible in algae-tinted water.
Further coverage in one outlet notes Trump has disputed criticism and has attributed damage to vandals rather than construction issues, including claims made on social media that a liner was cut and chemicals were introduced. Another outlet reports Trump says the pool could be drained again for additional repairs if needed. Costs and contract totals reported across outlets vary, with one saying the project cost is cited by Trump at $1.5 million to $2 million, while records show higher contract awards.
