Peeling Paint Deepens Troubles For Donald Trump's Delayed White House Pool Project

A renovation project championed by US President Donald Trump at Washington's iconic Reflecting Pool has encountered fresh setbacks, with peeling blue paint and algae growth emerging just weeks before major celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. An AFP photographer on Friday observed workers removing flakes of blue paint and green algae from the pool, which had recently been drained, repainted and refilled as part of a refurbishment ordered by Trump.

The algae bloom has given portions of the water a murky green appearance, while patches of peeling paint have become visible across several sections of the 610-metre-long structure. The Reflecting Pool, located on the National Mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was repainted in what Trump described as “American flag blue.” However, reports and social media posts over recent days have highlighted widespread deterioration of the new coating.

In one area, the word “TRUMP” was reportedly traced into the green scum that had accumulated on the pool floor, where the paint appeared particularly worn. Responding to the criticism, Trump defended the project in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. He attributed the damage to vandalism and said the algae problem was already being addressed. “The algae is 75% gone, and the condition will soon be completely remedied,” Trump wrote, adding that the damaged section represented only a small portion of the overall project and would be repaired in the coming days.

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He also said law enforcement agencies were investigating the alleged vandalism. The refurbishment is part of a broader effort by Trump to leave a lasting mark on the US capital through a series of high-profile projects. US media reports have estimated the cost of repainting the Reflecting Pool at approximately $14 million. The initiative forms part of a wider programme that has included proposals for a new ballroom at the White House and the construction of a large arch near the Potomac River.

The Reflecting Pool occupies a prominent place in American history and public memory. Designed to mirror the Washington Monument, it has served as the backdrop for some of the nation's most significant public gatherings. Most notably, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his landmark “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 before hundreds of thousands of people assembled around the pool. With the United States preparing to commemorate 250 years since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4, officials are under pressure to ensure the landmark is restored to full condition ahead of the celebrations.

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