Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank 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 inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleDonald Trump boasted on 4 May 2026 about the durability of the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, claiming its surface was 'very, very strong'. He stated the pool, which he had ordered spray-painted 'American flag-blue', would last at least 50 years without leaking. The renovation involved draining the pool and applying a coating similar to those used in chlorinated swimming pools. Despite his earlier assurances, Trump announced on Tuesday, 23 June, that the pool would need to be drained again. This was attributed to alleged vandalism, with Trump reporting a '290,300-foot slit right through it'. In fullTrump claims vandals slashed Reflecting Pool surface he boasted was knife-proofThank 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