Trump Promises Quick Repair for Drained Reflecting Pool
WHO:
CNN - President Donald Trump
CNN - Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
CNN - U.S. District Attorney Jeannine Pirro
Alternet - Activist Joe Flood
Alternet - Democratic Party strategist Matt Rein
Alternet - Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn
WHAT:
CBS News - Trump stated, “We drained the beautiful ‘Reflecting Pool’ today in order to fix the scars and damage that was done by the Vandals two weeks ago.”
CBS News - Trump claimed, “The slashes were 300 yards long, and the floor of the pool was cut and then pulled upward, with great force, by these thugs.”
CBS News - Trump reiterated that the individuals allegedly responsible should "pay a big price for the damage done."
CBS News - Trump stated that the damage to the pool was caused by "vandals" two weeks prior to the draining.
CBS News - Trump claimed that the slashes in the pool's lining were "300 yards long," which he described as being cut and pulled upward "with great force."
CBS News - The National Park Service reported that the damage was caused by a "sharp knife."
CBS News - David Hearn, an Olympic canoeist, was accused of ripping out a portion of the sealant from the bottom of the pool and pleaded not guilty to charges last week.
CBS News - Hearn stated he was arrested after reaching down into the pool during a 64-mile bike ride, claiming he was just interested in the material.
CNN - Trump stated that the pool “will be refilled and put back into service soon.”
CNN - Trump claimed that the slashes in the pool’s lining were “300 yards long,” which is longer than his previous claims of 250 feet and 350 feet.
CNN - At least three individuals charged with destruction of property related to the pool have pleaded not guilty.
Alternet - U.S. District Attorney Jeannine Pirro stated that someone intentionally caused “a tremendous amount of damage to the pool” and agreed that a sharp object was used.
Alternet - Trump claimed that “vandals” had sliced the gash into the pool, suggesting it was done with a box cutter or knife.
CNN - The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was drained to make repairs.
CNN - Trump claimed that vandals gashed the pool’s lining, stating the slashes were “300 yards long.”
CNN - The renovation project for the pool cost more than $14 million and has faced issues like algae blooms and a chipping bottom.
CNN - At least three individuals were charged with destruction of property related to the pool.
Alternet - David Hearn was accused of “forcefully and violently” pulling up the Reflecting Pool liner.
WHERE:
CNN - Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Washington D.C.
WHEN:
CNN - The pool was drained on a Monday.
CNN - Trump called for the pool’s renovation in April.
CNN - The draining began after the July Fourth fireworks show.
WHY:
CNN - Trump stated the pool was drained to fix damage caused by vandals.
Alternet - Pirro indicated that someone intentionally caused damage to the pool.
HOW:
CBS News - Trump stated that the Parks Department had to empty the water in order to fix the water-tight basin.
Alternet - Trump hired a company that used "nanobubble technology" to address the algae problem, which was removed for the July Fourth fireworks display.
CNN - Trump posted on Truth Social about the damage and the need for repairs.
CNN - The Parks Department drained the water to fix the water-tight basin.
Alternet - Trump hired a company that used "nanobubble technology" to address the algae problem in the pool.
(UPDATED July 14, 2026 18:18 UTC)
Trump announced that the beautiful Reflecting Pool was drained to repair damage caused by vandals two weeks ago. He described the destruction, noting that the slashes were 300 yards long and that the pool's floor had been cut and pulled upward with great force. Trump emphasized that those responsible for the damage should face significant consequences for their actions.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 13:26 UTC)
Trump has accused vandals of causing significant damage to a pool, claiming the slashes in its lining measure an astonishing 300 yards long and were made with great force. The National Park Service has attributed the damage to a sharp knife, while Olympic canoeist David Hearn has been accused of tearing out a portion of the pool's sealant and pleaded not guilty to the charges last week. Hearn explained that he was arrested after reaching into the pool during a 64-mile bike ride, insisting that he was merely curious about the material.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 06:44 UTC)
Trump announced that the pool will be refilled and put back into service soon, following significant damage that he claims was caused by vandals who sliced a gash into the lining. He described the damage as a staggering “300 yards long,” which exceeds his earlier estimates of 250 feet and 350 feet. Meanwhile, at least three individuals charged with destruction of property related to the pool have pleaded not guilty, as U.S. District Attorney Jeannine Pirro confirmed that a sharp object was used to inflict the damage.
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(UPDATED July 14, 2026 05:46 UTC)
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. has been drained for repairs after President Trump claimed that vandals caused significant damage, describing slashes in the pool's lining as “300 yards long.” The renovation project, which has faced challenges like algae blooms and a chipping bottom, is costing over $14 million, and at least three individuals have been charged with destruction of property, including former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who is accused of violently pulling up the pool liner. Trump had called for the renovation in April, and the draining began after the July Fourth fireworks show, with the Parks Department taking action to fix the water-tight basin and employing a company that uses "nanobubble technology" to tackle the algae issue.