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Trump acknowledges ‘real problems’ at reflecting pool after $14m makeover, blaming ‘vandalism’

Jun 19, 2026Center Left

His vaunted renovation of the Washington attraction has resulted in an algae bloom and peeling paintDonald Trump has blamed “vandalism” for “real problems” at Washington’s reflecting pool after an algae bloom in the wake of a $14.2m renovation of the site he declared would turn it “American flag” blue. Paint has also been seen peeling off in the water.Days…

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WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Saturday said that multiple people had been arrested in connection with alleged vandalism of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall, including an Olympic canoeist, as the administration’s $14 million project to renovate the site has faced multiple setbacks.

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Vandalism at the Reflecting Pool? Yes—It Was
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Jun 20, 2026

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Add David Hearn to Donald Trump’s ever-growing list of enemies of the state. The Bethesda man was out for a bike ride in Washington, D.C., last Friday and decided to spin over to the Reflecting Pool see how its new, Trump-ordained “American flag blue” color struck him. He noticed that a piece of the new blue liner was partly detached from the pool’s bottom…

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