Trump's Reflecting Pool Controversy: a Timeline of Odor and Embarrassment

WHO:

Alternet - President Donald Trump is involved in the renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Fast Company - David Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympian and canoeist, was arrested during the incident.

WHAT:

Alternet - Trump admitted that the Reflecting Pool would need to be drained to fix peeling paint and algae blooms.

Alternet - The cost of the renovation project has escalated from an initial $1.5 million to $16 million.

Fast Company - Trump stated that the Reflecting Pool would be renovated to an "American Flag Blue" color.

Fast Company - The Reflecting Pool began turning green one day after being refilled on June 9.

Fast Company - Trump claimed that the pool had been vandalized and announced that repairs would begin immediately.

WHERE:

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

Fast Company - The renovations are taking place at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, situated between the Lincoln and Washington Monuments.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Trump announced the renovations on April 9, 2026.

Fast Company - Renovations began on April 23, 2026.

Fast Company - Trump stated that renovations were completed on June 4, 2026, and the pool was refilled by June 9, 2026.

Fast Company - The Reflecting Pool began turning green on June 10, 2026.

Fast Company - David Hearn was arrested on June 19, 2026.

Fast Company - Trump announced on June 21, 2026, that the pool would need to be drained and repaired.

WHY:

Alternet - Trump blamed the pool's issues on "vandals" and claimed that corrosive chemicals had been poured into the pool.

Fast Company - The renovations were intended to fix long-standing issues with the Reflecting Pool, which has leaked water and attracted algae since its completion in 1922.

HOW:

Alternet - The Trump administration hired a no-bid contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, for the renovation.

Fast Company - The Department of Interior deployed crews with "high-tech nanobubble ozone technology" and hydrogen peroxide to clean the water in the Reflecting Pool.

(UPDATED June 22, 2026 20:09 UTC)

President Trump is overseeing a significant renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., which has seen costs soar from an initial $1.5 million to $16 million due to issues like peeling paint and algae blooms. Trump announced that the pool would be drained and repaired after it turned green just one day after being refilled, attributing the problems to vandalism and corrosive chemicals. Meanwhile, three-time U.S. Olympian David Hearn was arrested during the renovation efforts, which have involved advanced cleaning technology to address the long-standing issues with the pool.