In a bold initiative ahead of the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration, President Trump announced plans on Thursday to revitalize the historic reflection pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Describing it as “filthy,” he promised to transform its appearance by painting it “American-flag blue” to better reflect national pride.
During a conversation with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump recounted how a German friend was taken aback by the pool’s neglected state during a recent visit to Washington, D.C. “He told me, ‘It looks filthy and dirty. The water is disgusting. It’s not what America should represent,'” Trump recounted at an event where he also highlighted a new agreement with a pharmaceutical company aimed at reducing medication costs.
The reflection pool, which stretches 2,000 feet, holds a significant place in American history. It has been the backdrop for pivotal events, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech. It has also hosted numerous political rallies and speeches over the decades.
One of its most memorable moments came in May 1970, when former President Richard Nixon made an unexpected visit to the memorial, engaging with anti-Vietnam War protestors gathered there.
Trump further detailed his plans for the pool’s renovation in a video shared on his Truth Social platform. He pointed out that the pool, constructed in 1922, had suffered from persistent leaks “like a sieve” for years. He mentioned that both he and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had recently conducted a personal inspection of the site, accompanied by a Secret Service detail, to assess its condition and discuss the upcoming changes.
Trump had earlier posted a video announcement about the renovations on his Truth Social account, noting that the pool, built in 1922, had “leaked like a sieve for many years,” and that he and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had personally inspected it recently with a Secret Service detail.
“I do a lot of this as president, and try to save money,” he noted, bragging that he’d driven the cost of the construction down to $1.5 million or $2 million, and it would be done “long before July 4.”
The project’s price tag was initially pegged at $300 million to replace costly granite stones lining the pool’s base — and take more than three years to complete.
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Instead, the pool was drained and the granite has been scrubbed clean and will be topped with an “American-flag blue,” “industrial-grade, swimming pool topping,” Trump boasted.
“It’ll last for 40 or 50 years; there’ll be no leaks,” he added. “It’ll look gorgeous, beautiful. So it’s a story in business. … This is a much better job, for much less money.”
The project comes as the president is also eyeing the construction of a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, with recently released photos showing the massive 250-foot-tall structure.
Trump is also planning to build a gilded grand ballroom for $400 million next to the White House’s East Wing, but a federal judge recently halted that project.
