Workers have begun painting the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping effort to beautify Washington ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations this summer.
The historic reflecting pool, which stretches more than 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, has suffered for years from leaks, structural deterioration, algae buildup, faulty pipes, and bird waste.
Trump said the renovation would both repair the aging landmark and dramatically improve its appearance.
“The reflecting pool was filthy, dirty, and it leaked like a sieve for many years,” Trump said in a video message released from the Oval Office.
The president credited Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with overseeing the project, which involves draining the pool, repairing its granite surface, sealing leaks, and applying what Trump described as an “industrial grade swimming pool topping.”
According to Trump, the chosen shade is “American Flag Blue.”
The administration says the repainting process involved scrubbing and grouting the original granite installed in 1922 before applying the new coating, which Trump claimed could last up to 50 years.
Trump also argued the project would save taxpayers money. He said early renovation estimates exceeded $300 million and could have taken more than three years to complete.
Instead, Trump said contractors familiar with luxury swimming pool renovations proposed a faster and cheaper alternative costing between $1.5 million and $2 million.
However, reports from The New York Times claimed the administration ultimately awarded a no-bid emergency contract worth approximately $6.9 million to a preferred vendor.
Critics have accused the administration of bypassing normal oversight procedures.
Tim Whitehouse, head of the watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, argued the project demonstrates a breakdown in government checks and balances.
Whitehouse accused Burgum of using emergency exemptions to advance what he called “Trump vanity projects” in the nation’s capital.
Photos from the renovation site show workers in protective suits spray-painting sections of the drained pool while Trump’s motorcade drove through the empty basin during an inspection visit.
The reflecting pool makeover is one of several ambitious projects Trump has pursued in Washington during preparations for the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The president has also proposed building a 250-foot victory arch, redeveloping parts of the White House complex with a new ballroom, and renaming institutions including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the United States Institute of Peace to incorporate his name.
Supporters describe the projects as bold patriotic upgrades aimed at restoring national pride, while critics argue they are expensive personal branding efforts tied to Trump’s political legacy.