Trending Now - Trump Inspects New Coating by Driving Over Lincoln Memorial Pool

WHO:

ABC News - President Donald Trump, Doug Burgum (Secretary of the Interior), Markwayne Mullin (Secretary of Homeland Security)

WHAT:

ABC News - Trump inspected the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which he had coated in a color he calls “American flag blue.”

AP News - The project cost nearly $2 million.

ABC News - Trump stated, “It never had the color people wanted, but now it’s going to have the great color.”

AP News - Trump mentioned he is also working on the memorial to President Abraham Lincoln, stating, “we have a beautiful plan” in mind.

WHERE:

ABC News - Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

AP News - An underground visitors’ center at the memorial is scheduled to open in June.

WHY:

ABC News - Trump was inspired to renovate the pool after a friend from Germany complained that the water was dark, filthy, and looked disgusting.

AP News - Critics have said Trump is spending too much time on personal projects rather than on pressing voter issues, such as the cost of living, ahead of the November elections.

HOW:

ABC News - Trump was driven across the new coating in an SUV before making a statement and answering questions from reporters.

(UPDATED May 8, 2026 07:30 UTC)

President Trump, accompanied by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, inspected the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which he has coated in a color he calls “American flag blue.” The renovation, inspired by a friend's complaint about the pool's previous condition, cost nearly $2 million, and Trump expressed his belief that it will finally have the "great color" people wanted. Additionally, he announced plans for an underground visitors’ center at the memorial, set to open in June, while also mentioning a beautiful plan for the memorial to President Abraham Lincoln.