By
Updated on: June 18, 2026 / 8:28 PM EDT
/ CBS News
Add CBS News on Google
President Trump's efforts to spruce up the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool faced a snag this week, with algae turning the water a fluorescent green hue while rips appeared in an "American Flag Blue" surface handpicked by the president.The century-old Reflecting Pool has long faced problems with leaks, algae and faulty plumbing. In April, the president launched an effort to address the pool's "terrible" condition, part of a slate of spring cleaning projects in Washington, D.C., ahead of the nation's 250th birthday — as Mr. Trump seeks to put his architectural stamp on the city. Mr. Trump had the pool's stone flooring coated with a sealant he called the "latest and greatest filament" and an "industrial-grade" variation of swimming pool liner. He told reporters he personally chose the sealant's color: "American Flag Blue." Federal contracts for the project were valued at more than $14 million.But several days ago, after water was pumped back in, a sheen of green algae appeared.
