Reflecting Pool's Sealant Fails, Revealing Peeling Paint

WHO:

CBS News - President Trump is involved in the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

WTOP - Derek Amspaugh, a visitor from Columbus, Ohio, commented on the renovation.

WTOP - John Ritter, a resident of Northern Virginia, provided his opinion on the renovation issues.

WHAT:

CBS News - A tear was spotted in the sealant material applied to the floor of the Reflecting Pool, with the Department of the Interior stating that the algae outbreak was "part of the normal startup process."

WTOP - A chunk of "American Flag Blue" paint was observed floating up from the bottom of the pool, indicating further peeling.

NBC News - The renovation of the Reflecting Pool was reported to cost $14.6 million, slightly higher than previously stated.

WTOP - A 2- to 3-foot section of the "American Flag Blue" paint was reported to be peeling away near the pool’s edge.

CBS News - The Department of the Interior stated that the water is now "crystal clear," and workers were "vacuuming up the dead algae."

CBS News - The Trump administration's renovations mark the second time in less than 20 years that the Reflecting Pool was overhauled.

CBS News - The pool's length is about the size of 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

CBS News - Critics have called some of the renovation projects self-aggrandizing and accused Trump of making dramatic changes without getting permission from Congress or input from the public.

CBS News - Workers have been seen removing algae and using hydrogen peroxide in the water.

WTOP - About a third of the pool appeared clean and blue, while the rest remained green due to algae.

CBS News - A tear was spotted in the sealant material applied to the floor of the Reflecting Pool, with a spokesperson stating that the algae outbreak was "part of the normal startup process."

WTOP - A chunk of "American Flag Blue" paint was observed floating up from the bottom of the pool, indicating further peeling.

NBC News - The renovation of the Reflecting Pool was reported to cost $14.6 million, slightly higher than previously stated.

WTOP - A 2- to 3-foot section of the "American Flag Blue" paint was reported to be peeling away near the pool’s edge.

CBS News - A tear was spotted in the sealant material applied to the floor of the Reflecting Pool, with a spokesperson stating that the algae outbreak was "part of the normal startup process."

WTOP - A 2- to 3-foot section of the "American Flag Blue" paint is peeling away from the bottom of the pool, with a chunk floating up from the bottom.

WTOP - As of the latest reports, about a third of the pool appeared clean and blue, while the rest remained green due to algae.

CBS News - A tear was spotted in the sealant material applied to the floor of the Reflecting Pool.

CBS News - The Department of the Interior stated that the water is now "crystal clear," and workers were "vacuuming up the dead algae."

CBS News - The Trump administration's renovations mark the second time in less than 20 years that the Reflecting Pool was overhauled.

CBS News - The pool's length is about the size of 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

CBS News - Critics have called some of the renovation projects self-aggrandizing and accused Trump of making dramatic changes without getting permission from Congress or input from the public.

CBS News - The Reflecting Pool's new sealant has failed, revealing peeling paint and algae turning the water green.

CBS News - The renovation project for the Reflecting Pool is valued at more than $14 million.

WTOP - A 2- to 3-foot section of the "American Flag Blue" paint is peeling away from the bottom of the pool.

CBS News - Workers have been seen removing algae and using hydrogen peroxide in the water.

WTOP - About a third of the pool appeared clean and blue, while the rest remained green due to algae.

WHERE:

CBS News - The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is located in Washington, D.C.

WTOP - The peeling paint was observed on the south side of the Reflecting Pool.

CBS News - The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is located in Washington, D.C.

WTOP - The peeling paint was observed on the south side of the Reflecting Pool.

WHEN:

CBS News - The renovation effort was launched in April.

CBS News - Water was pumped back into the pool several days before the algae outbreak was reported.

WTOP - The peeling paint was reported on June 18, 2026.

CBS News - The renovation effort was launched in April.

CBS News - Water was pumped back into the pool several days before the algae outbreak was reported.

WTOP - The peeling paint was reported on June 18, 2026.

WHY:

CBS News - A Department of the Interior spokesperson stated that the algae outbreak was due to "residual algae from the supply lines which have been sitting dormant for eight weeks while construction has been taking place."

CBS News - President Trump aimed to address the "terrible" condition of the Reflecting Pool as part of spring cleaning projects ahead of the nation's 250th birthday.

CBS News - The Department of the Interior stated that the algae outbreak was "part of the normal startup process" after construction.

CBS News - President Trump aimed to address the "terrible" condition of the Reflecting Pool as part of spring cleaning projects ahead of the nation's 250th birthday.

CBS News - The Department of the Interior stated that the algae outbreak was "part of the normal startup process" after construction.

HOW:

WTOP - Crews have been using nanobubble ozone technology to clean the pool, in addition to scrubbing and dumping hydrogen peroxide into the water.

CBS News - Workers were seen dumping bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water to combat the algae, and the Department of the Interior is using a "nanobubbler" to prevent algae from reappearing in the Reflecting Pool.

CBS News - Workers were seen dumping bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water to combat the algae.

WTOP - Crews have been using nanobubble ozone technology to clean the pool, in addition to scrubbing and dumping hydrogen peroxide into the water.

CBS News - Workers were seen dumping bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water to combat the algae.

CBS News - The pool's stone flooring was coated with a sealant described by Trump as the "latest and greatest filament" and an "industrial-grade" variation of swimming pool liner.

CBS News - The Department of the Interior is using a "nanobubbler" to prevent algae from reappearing in the Reflecting Pool.

WTOP - Crews have been scrubbing the algae and using nanobubble ozone technology to clean the pool.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 21:18 UTC)

The renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. has encountered some challenges, including a tear in the sealant and peeling "American Flag Blue" paint, which was reported on June 18, 2026. Despite these issues, the Department of the Interior has stated that the water is now "crystal clear," and crews are actively cleaning the pool using hydrogen peroxide and advanced nanobubble technology. This $14.6 million renovation, which aims to improve the pool's condition ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, marks the second major overhaul in less than 20 years.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 14:13 UTC)

A tear has been discovered in the sealant material of the Reflecting Pool, with a spokesperson explaining that the algae outbreak is part of the normal startup process following renovations that cost $14.6 million. Additionally, a section of "American Flag Blue" paint is peeling near the pool's edge, and crews are addressing the situation using nanobubble ozone technology along with scrubbing and hydrogen peroxide treatments. The algae issue has been attributed to residual algae from supply lines that sat dormant during the construction period.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 08:45 UTC)

A tear has been discovered in the sealant material on the floor of the Reflecting Pool, with officials noting that the algae outbreak is considered part of the normal startup process. Additionally, a section of the "American Flag Blue" paint is peeling away, and while about a third of the pool is clean and blue, the rest remains green with algae. To address the issue, workers are adding hydrogen peroxide to the water, and the Department of the Interior is employing a "nanobubbler" to help prevent future algae growth.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 04:23 UTC)

A tear has been discovered in the sealant material applied to the floor of the Reflecting Pool, which is currently being cleaned as the Department of the Interior reports the water is now "crystal clear" and workers are vacuuming up the dead algae. To tackle the algae issue, workers have been seen dumping bottles of hydrogen peroxide into the water, part of the ongoing renovations that mark the second major overhaul of the pool in less than 20 years. Critics have raised concerns about these renovation projects, labeling them as self-aggrandizing and accusing Trump of making significant changes without proper permission from Congress or input from the public.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 01:54 UTC)

President Trump is overseeing the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., which has encountered issues with its new sealant, leading to peeling paint and algae turning the water green. The renovation, valued at over $14 million, aims to improve the pool's condition ahead of the nation's 250th birthday, but a recent report on June 18, 2026, revealed that a 2- to 3-foot section of the "American Flag Blue" paint is peeling away, while crews work to scrub algae and utilize nanobubble ozone technology for cleaning. Visitors like Derek Amspaugh from Columbus, Ohio, and local resident John Ritter have shared their thoughts on the renovation challenges, as about a third of the pool remains clean and blue while the rest is affected by algae.