Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., recently underwent a £14 million refurbishment, but soon after, its water turned green with algae and its new blue surface began to peel. Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the problems were due to "vandalism," specifically accusing ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl of attempting to damage the pool's surface, and stated that law enforcement is investigating. The renovation, which Trump initially estimated at $2 million but federal records show cost over $14 million, involved draining and resurfacing the pool with "American flag blue" paint. Within days of being refilled, the pool developed significant algae, with The Washington Post reporting record levels for June, and its new coating started to detach. Workers are using hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone technology to treat the algae, while CNN suggested the hydrogen peroxide might be contributing to the peeling by increasing phosphate levels; a $1.7 million no-bid contract for a purification system was awarded to a company owned by a Trump donor. In fullTrump now blaming ‘vandalism’ for the problems at the Reflecting Pool and says police are investigatingThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Trump singles out journalist and makes ‘vandalism’ claims about Reflecting Pool woes
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., recently underwent a £14 million refurbishment, but soon after, its water turned green with algae and its new blue surface began to peel. Donald Trump claimed on Truth Social that the problems were due to "vandalism," specifically accusing ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl of attempting to damage the pool's surface, and stated that law enforcement is investigating. The renovation, which Trump initially estimated at $2 million but federal records show cost over $14 million, involved draining and resurfacing the pool with "American flag blue" paint. Within days of being refilled, the pool developed significant algae, with The Washington Post reporting record levels for June, and its new coating started to detach. Workers are using hydrogen peroxide and nanobubble ozone technology to treat the algae, while CNN suggested the hydrogen peroxide might be contributing to the peeling by increasing phosphate levels; a $1.7 million no-bid contract for a purification system was awarded to a company owned by a Trump donor. In fullTrump now blaming ‘vandalism’ for the problems at the Reflecting Pool and says police are investigatingThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Reflecting Pool £14M refurbishment failed within days with algae bloom and paint peeling; Trump alleges vandalism. Public infrastructure project exposes governance risks: cost overrun (£2M to £14M), no-bid contract to political donor, technical failure cascade.
