Published June 23rd, 2026 - 06:49 GMT
ALBAWABA - The Reflecting Pool renovations, which have been a subject of some controversy for the Trump administration, are now back in the spotlight after Trump threatened to sue ABC news over its coverage of the administration’s blunders regarding it.The Reflecting Pool renovation project, initially outlined to cost $1.5 million to $2 million by the Trump administration, has now cost around $14 million in U.S. taxpayer money. With Trump apparently seeking to foot ABC with the bill, threatening a lawsuit for “fake news” coverage of the pool’s renovations, with the compensation from ABC intended to go to the “U.S. Treasury”.“In describing the Vandalism that took place at the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., ABC FAKE NEWS, one of the worst in the business, even paying me $16,000,000 for past bad and inaccurate reporting, failed to report that their close ‘friends,’ Dumocrats Obama and Biden, spent over 100 Million Dollars on the Reflecting Pool, and it never worked,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday. “In fact, it was rarely open due to leaks and stench.’ They wanted to spend 300 to 400 Million Dollars, but just let it ROT.”However, despite the President’s comments, the Obama administration spent $35 million on some renovations for the pool while the Biden administration hadn’t spent a cent on it. As referenced by Trump, this isn’t the first time he threatened to sue, or indeed, has sued news outlets involved in reporting the goings-on in and around the White House; earning the administration accusations of stifling press freedom.A worker cleans the waters of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool following the completion of recent renovations in Washington, DC, on June 22, 2026. (KENT NISHIMURA / AFP)The pool, nonetheless, remains in disrepair; the current administration’s project is taking longer and is costing the public more money than initially outlined. Issues ranging from algae bloom to cracks in the pool bottom - all this, the President claims, are the work of mysterious vandals who he accuses of sabotaging the project.“I spent approximately 16 Million Dollars, and it came out great, except for the Vandalism, which we are now fixing,” the president added. “It was also a much bigger job than originally envisioned, including the outer areas and sidewalks. We are preparing lawsuits against ABC for false reporting. I like their money, which will be given to the U.S. Treasury!”It seems that the pool, while in disrepair, works great as a metaphor for the current U.S. administrations’ policies; at home and abroad.
