Washington—Water started flowing back into the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to an announcement from President Donald Trump. During an unrelated event, Trump showed a video of water bubbling into the freshly coated basin located at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial. He remarked, “That’s clean, beautiful water.”
The reflecting pool, now with a vibrant blue protective coating, is under renovation in preparation for the United States’ 250th anniversary, scheduled for June 4, 2026. Live footage showed water filling the basin’s center while workers and equipment remained on-site.
Trump highlighted the completion of the painting project. The shallow basin, painted in a color described as “American flag blue,” was finished recently. The administration indicated in a court filing that the pool would be fully refilled by Sunday.
Additionally, Trump revealed plans to build a new pedestrian walkway connecting the rear of the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River. “They want to call it the ‘Trump Promenade’ but I’m not sure,” Trump commented, ensuring it will be impressive.
The renovation’s cost, claimed by Trump to be between $1.5 million and $2 million, contrasts court records showing awarded contracts exceeding $14.8 million. The president initiated the project following complaints from a German friend about the pool’s previous condition.
Originally constructed in the 1920s, the approximately 2,000-foot-long reflecting pool is a significant landmark, nestled between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It holds historical significance, as Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech there in 1963.
Before a 2012 overhaul, the pool contained around 6.5 million gallons of water. Subsequent updates integrated a system using river water from the Tidal Basin, avoiding city tap water. The area currently endures drought conditions, affecting water sources.
Some critics argue that Trump prioritizes these projects over more pressing voter issues, like living costs, especially ahead of the upcoming elections. Accusations suggest Trump desired the reflecting pool to resemble a swimming pool.
A Washington nonprofit, the Cultural Landscape Foundation, recently sued to halt the renovations, expressing concerns about the pool’s new appearance aligning with a “theme park” look. A court ruling on the matter remains pending, and despite ongoing litigation, the administration reported the project’s completion, with an imminent weekend deadline for refilling the pool.
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