Stephen King Calls Out Trump's Corruption Amid Controversy

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump claimed that the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was targeted by vandals.

Alternet - Author Stephen King criticized Trump’s claims on social media.

NBC News Politics - Gabe Gutierrez reported on the situation for NBC.

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump claimed, "The United States Park Police have arrested multiple individuals for vandalizing our Nations magnificent Reflecting Pool. Who would do such a thing? These are very serious crimes having to do with the destruction of National Monuments. Years in jail! Work will begin immediately on its repair. President DJT."

Alternet - Trump stated, "What these terrible Vandals have done is a true affront to both Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, and should be dealt with accordingly."

NBC News Politics - Trump asserted that the Reflecting Pool will likely need to be "at least partly drained for repairs 'immediately.'"

Alternet - Trump claimed, "Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool."

Alternet - Trump stated, "It hasn't looked or worked like this since 1922, when it was originally built, but even then, it leaked badly, and didn’t work."

NBC News Politics - Trump asserted that the Reflecting Pool will likely need to be "at least partly drained for repairs 'immediately.'"

Alternet - Trump stated that multiple individuals were arrested for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool.

Alternet - The renovation of the Reflecting Pool cost $14 million and is experiencing issues such as peeling paint and algae blooms.

NBC News Politics - Trump indicated that the Reflecting Pool would likely need to be drained for repairs.

WHERE:

Alternet - The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is located in Washington D.C.

WHEN:

Alternet - Trump made his claims in a post on Truth Social on June 20.

WHY:

Alternet - Stephen King criticized Trump's claims, stating, "Nobody is vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, and Trump knows it. This is a visible example of his corruption — a no-bid contract to some crony followed by sky-high cost overruns, and shoddy construction to boot."

Alternet - Joe Scarborough argued on his show "Morning Joe" that the real culprit with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was shoddy work resulting from a "no-bid contract."

Alternet - Trump attributed the problems with the Reflecting Pool to vandalism without providing evidence.

Alternet - Stephen King suggested that the issues were due to a "no-bid contract" and poor construction.

HOW:

NBC News Politics - Trump indicated that contractors would need to "drain much of the water" to conduct necessary repairs.

Alternet - Trump mentioned that contractors would need to drain much of the water to conduct necessary repairs.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 23:23 UTC)

Trump has announced that multiple individuals have been arrested for vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, calling the act a serious crime against national monuments and stating that repairs will begin immediately. He emphasized that this vandalism is an affront to Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, insisting that the pool may need to be partly drained for repairs. However, critics like Stephen King and Joe Scarborough have challenged Trump's claims, suggesting that the real issue lies with poor construction from a no-bid contract rather than any actual vandalism.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 20:06 UTC)

Trump has claimed that many additional arrests have been made in connection with the vandalism of the Reflecting Pool, which he says hasn't functioned properly since it was built in 1922. He stated that the pool will likely need to be at least partly drained for repairs to take place immediately, as contractors will need to drain much of the water to conduct the necessary work. In response, author Stephen King criticized Trump's assertions, arguing that nobody is vandalizing the Reflecting Pool and suggesting that this situation reflects Trump's corruption and poor construction practices.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 14:57 UTC)

President Trump has claimed that vandals targeted the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C., stating that multiple individuals were arrested for the alleged vandalism. He indicated that the Reflecting Pool, which recently underwent a $14 million renovation, is facing issues like peeling paint and algae blooms, and may need to be drained for repairs. Author Stephen King criticized Trump's assertions on social media, suggesting that the problems stem from a "no-bid contract" and poor construction rather than vandalism.