President Donald Trump seemed to have a lot on his mind on Sunday. He unleashed a flurry of social media posts and reposts on everything from his $600 million ballroom project to the World Cup. But three words in the middle of a 589-word rant stood out to critics: “criminally made algae.” Trump used those words in reference to the Reflecting Pool, which began suffering from peeling paint and a massive algae bloom almost immediately after he announced the completion of its $14 million renovation.Experts have said that the new “American flag blue” bottom Trump installed may have, ironically, helped the algae thrive. But he has, without evidence, blamed vandals ― and did so again in his lengthy Sunday afternoon Truth Social post.“The Reflecting Pool is now in full use after suffering great damage from Criminal, Radical Left Vandals, people that truly hate our Country,” Trump wrote. A child looks at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool from behind a fence on June 27, 2026, in Washington, D.C.Tierney L. Cross/Getty ImagesWhile several people have been arrested in connection with the Reflecting Pool, there’s no evidence that vandalism led to its problems. One of those arrested, three-time Olympic canoeist David Hearn, told ABC he stuck his hands in the water and touched a loose piece of the blue bottom. “I did not remove, I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” Hearn said.Trump himself bragged only last month that the new bottom was like “powerful rubber” and couldn’t be cut with a knife. In his Sunday rant, however, the president claimed supposed vandals had “butchered a 350 foot long strip” and “put their hands underneath the surface, and ripped it.” He said the pool would be drained again after July 4 “to treat the damage caused by these ‘animals.’” “In the meantime,” he added, “it is working well, the criminally made algae is gone, and the grass, which was destroyed, is being replaced shortly.” Trump’s critics could hardly believe what they were reading: “Criminally made algae” is an instant classic.I’d be tempted to suggest this post was AI-generated, but upon reflection (minor pun intended), it’s just not possible for any AI model to generate anything quite so nonsensical with zero transitional statements. What’s going on? 🤯 https://t.co/K5VFpO0Brt— neil turkewitz (@neilturkewitz) June 28, 2026Potomac River is rich in algae. It is the source of the Tidal Basin water. It is also rich in phosphates, which act as a liquid fertilizer for algae. Donald Trump referring to algae as "criminally made" demonstrates that he is, quite simply, suffering severe mental illness. https://t.co/8kA9V2V42c— Laurence (Larry) Boorstein (@LarryBoorstein) June 28, 2026Losing to algae & Iran in the same week is something only trump could do.— Mason (@masonisonx) June 28, 2026It's too long to read but what the heck is "criminally made algae?"— Tirah Att (@TirahAtt) June 28, 2026Trump will never take responsibility for his part in this crime awarding his pool guy w/ a no bid contract. A company that never had a govt contract before. A company that failed to do a good job for the American taxpayer & made us a world wide embarrassment. We demand a refund! https://t.co/1iOZc91UHn— Rebecca Clester (@ClesterRebecca) June 28, 2026