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Reflecting Pool turns green despite 'American flag blue' pledge

cultureJun 24, 2026753,904

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool turned green with an algal bloom days after it was repainted and refilled, contradicting President Donald Trump’s pledge the water would be "American flag blue." Scientists say nitrogen and phosphorus combined with sunlight and stagnant water created the conditions for the bloom, and experts warn algae or paint chemicals could harm ducks and other wildlife. The administration has blamed vandalism and reported arrests while installing chain-link fencing and surveillance around the pool, and Snopes documented that Trump’s motorcade drove on the freshly sealed surface earlier this spring. The episode matters because it combines environmental science, maintenance failures, and political messaging at a highly symbolic national site ahead of the 250th Independence Day celebrations.

The Lincoln Project
@lincolnproject.us

Senators in Trump's own party are standing up to him over the mess he's made of the Reflecting Pool.

11807h ago
JuneSongbird74

Courage after resigning isn't really that courageous.

kirstenme.bsky.social38

This is what they're standing up to him about? Not his ICE goons killing and deporting American citizens and those with rights to be here? Not his Florida swamp and other gulags? Not his rampant corruption and theft from the Treasury? Vote them all out of office!

girllyfan32

Because Tillis is not seeking re-election.

Philip Machanick 🇿🇦24

This be like: going after Hitler for bad taste in moustaches.

Edith Horwitz17

But Tillis won’t vote to stop the unjustified unnecessary war. #GOP priorities are so messed up.

Anthony 💙🇺🇳🇪🇺🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿17

But not over executive overreach, insider trading, rampant corruption of every hue? Seems a bit trivial to me.

Middlerage14

Just think about all the things they could stand up to him about! 🥴

JonSam13

Thank you for your important work to protect our democracy! Gandhi knew. He took down the world's greatest super power. They will fall. They always do.

donnacomeaux.bsky.social12

You're standing up about a pool? A pool? What about healthcare, food prices, the housing market, the back and fourth tariffs etc. None of these things are on your radar? Typical

🦋Cosmo the Shaggy Dog🦋10

They only just now realize Felonious pardoned the guys who tried to kill yawl. On day ONE. bsky.app/profile/cosm...

Hank Ering 🇨🇦💙🌊6

Well I'm glad they have their priorities straight on what's important. Winning the War on Algae!!

💙Joani in the sky with cubic zirconia 💙5

You enabled Frankenstein’s monster now YOU need to get rid of him. It’s your call.

RoseyRoseamund5

Try standing up to Fat Hitler over something like raped children in detention camps. This illegal war. Profits from his many illegal scams. Affordability. His health. Climate change. Rights of people being snatched away.

Sad Eyed Lady5

Now -- if only MAGA senators would stand up to him on his treatment of immigrants and trumpstein victims as well the family grifting, etc. etc. etc.

Jail Trump5

They aren't saying shit about him raping children, though.

Dee4

Now if they'd stand up to him about his corruption, lawlessness, theft and the Epstein files!!! Those things are far more important!!!

boatmatears.bsky.social4

Retirement has the added benefit of regrowing your spine.

🦇 Batsy Cline 🦇4

That was the last straw? Raping kids and imprisoning innocent Brown people in concentration camps weren’t? 🤦🏻‍♀️

Xennial Mom4

Um, whatever. He knew how terrible T was on Day 1 and only now speaks up? Cowards. But maybe some dumb MAGATS will listen to him, so there’s that.

Sue in Rockville 💙🦋💙🦋💙🦋3

Never let the FACTS get in the way of 50K LIES “Internal documents undercut Trump's Reflecting Pool vandalism claims & show workers were attempting to address deteriorating conditions while #TrumpRegime LIARS were denying it 1- www.rawstory.com/trump-reflec... 2- www.threads.com/@picklejarmo...

PhuckCulture3

They knew all along how corrupt he is yet they did nothing. Only after the cover of fleeing they speak out. Shameful

CA-NC-GA Lady3

Amazing how bold they all get once they no longer have to run for office.

GrimTalo3

How does cutting a line in a pool create algae?

Jstpshply3

I'm not sure highlighting Tom Tillis as having the courage to "stand up to" IQ47 is the flex you think it is...

AuroraErratic3

It is indeed a debacle and yet it's funny to me that THIS - out of all the shit he's fucked up, deliberately and otherwise - this is they find a spine over. I mean better than never finding one at all i guess

Ken Hess3

Nobody gives a good goddamn about the reflecting pool. It has become the deflecting pool. It's just another Republican diversion to keep us from focusing on what's really important: Prices, the Epstein criminals, war mongering, diversion, and market manipulation.

Common Sense Only3

Oh the freedom of no longer having a future in politics.

🐈‍⬛🫖🫚2

Tillis is worried about the pool but votes against the war powers resolution. Priorities. 🙄🫤

Brian2

Eh, only the ones who are ending their terms, after endorsing every single awful policy of his before he ran them out of the party.

nicoleblu2.bsky.social2

Trump SABATOGED the Peoples Pool. 14million taxpayer dollars…down drain, literally.

wombatboy.bsky.social2

He’s swamping the drain….literally and figuratively

Mark Daum2

Oh sure. They will stand up to him on the pool but not for your healthcare.

minngirl.bsky.social2

He’s ok with Epstein though.

bjp123.bsky.social2

These GOP hacks, can’t get anything right. Yelling about the reflection pool, is nothing! Let’s hear them grow a spine and talk about their trashing of our Constitution and their selling out the Country for the billionaires!

JimmyB2

Fullest extent of the law, eh? Felon Trump blasted his multi-vehicle motorcade over the liner while it was drying. The vehicles were actually down inside the reflecting pool! Piss off, Pirro, have another box of wine. 🤡

1fitter.bsky.social2

So trying to overthrow an election and get people killed in an illegal war wasnt enough. A fucking concrete pond is the straw? Unfucking believable.

bkgemmy.bsky.social2

Thank god they have a red line, a bottom they’re not willing to compromise on. Property over people.

Lori🩷🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🖖2

Don't let them walk away from the shame of supporting the orange💩gibbon, they don't get to pretend they haven't gone along with this treasonous nonsense all along!

Cmango2

The coward is throwing Pirro under the bus. He can’t even name Trvmp directly.

Slicer and Dicer of Nybbles and Bits2

EVERY republican MUST BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE: Federal, state, local; executive, legislative, judicial.

NarrativeTracker2

The Lincoln Project spent years branding themselves as noble conservatives defending institutions from Trump. Now they celebrate a handful of Republicans undermining leverage against Iran at the exact moment the regime was on the ropes. This is not principle. It’s the same uniparty reflex

Purdue Dan2

A handful of senators trying desperately to win back a modicum of decency so they can look their grandkids in the eye. Too little, too late.

Baron Von Trapp Star2

Meh. Any of them would drink a glass of algae on TV if Trump told them to do so.

Carl Quintanilla
@carlquintanilla.bsky.social

“.. Wasting taxpayer money turning the reflecting pool into a giant duck death trap just in time for America’s 250th birthday party is as Trump as it gets.” @apnews.com apnews.com/article/refl...

7747h ago
ray 鄺羡華
@raykwong.lol

Good morning and happy Wednesday to everyone. A convicted felon is handling routine maintenance of the reflecting pool and it shows.

2637h ago
Scott7

Good morning, Ray and friends. Have a great Wednesday, everyone.

JettedBunny7

Should be making licensing plates.

JaxDeeDee 💙💛 🇺🇦6

Good morning, Ray, have a great day! ☮️

patfromthestix4

Good morning, Ray. Happy Wednesday.

dragonlady1011.bsky.social4

💙💙💙 good morning Ray happy Wednesday The current condition of the reflecting pool is a metaphor for the current condition of our democracy Especially since the orange dictator won’t take responsibility for making a big mistake in hiring a contractor that didn’t know what it was doing. Fuck Trump

mkn68.bsky.social4

Soon it will be the “district of tarps and fences”. What a travesty this fool is.

Josette3

Morning, Ray! What a perfect metaphor for everything he’s done to this country.

Breezelan3

Good morning Ray. Happy Wednesday everyone. Yesterday morning I commented he would put up fencing around the reflecting pool and charge admission. So far, I am half right.

The Hermit Queen3

Good morning, Ray! The swamp has officially won.

KnightHawk3

Good morning Ray! So true! That's why I laughed when he did that work at McDonald's thing because he wouldn't be allowed to work at McDonald's 😃

✌️Bob ☮ (Old Man Hippy)💙3

Morning Ray, I suspect that 9 out of 10 convicted felons could do a better job at it. Have a great day!✌️

lyndapole3

Happy morning, Ray. Everything he touches he ruins.

That's Hilarious3

His company is appropriately called Greenwater Services! Good morning!☀️💙 I stand with Amphifa!🐸

J.G.3

OK, see if I've got this right, Republicans, voters & pols both, often espouse our country would be better off if run as a business, correct? Yet they support, defend & cover for a "CEO" with -0- experience in gov't & has managed at least 6 major businesses into bankruptcy. Now why would this be so?

Helamina 🦋🌊3

Good morning Ray. His time is limited, wish his ability to damage our national treasures were as well.

CatCmdr13

GM Ray! 🌞 He thinks they’re all out to get him…..a touch of reality 😹 The Revenge of The Algae!!

Know the Truth Media (Janet)3

Good morning Ray and happy Wednesday. Felon needs to swim in that pool.

🍁Sean Evans🍁#ImpeachAllOfThem #IAmAntifa3

Good morning Ray! The fence and the blue tarp are a testiment to the insanity. How soon before the tarp is tagged and/or pulled down.

Lynda🇺🇦🇨🇦🇺🇸🇺🇳🇲🇽3

Good morning Ray, Reflection of dark soul:

mike2

Good morning Ray! Happy Wednesday! ☕☀️💙 He is why we can't have nice things.

@LuLuRoche2

a beautiful job and only 15 million

Georgia 🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 🦉 🌻2

Good morning Ray. I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday 🙃

Carol-Face-in-the-Crowd2

Good morning, Ray! While he knows nothing about pools and their science, we’ve got to admit he’s gifted in the stupidly evil category. He swims in that.

💙Joani in the sky with cubic zirconia 💙2

Good morning, Ray! Sure does, incompetence is the order of the day the weeks, the months, the years…ugh.

ML Porter2

Hi Ray! trump the hump has fucked up Washington DC again, hasn't he? He's humped America enough!

justbegreene2

Good morning ray☀️ Throw him in…I’ll bet he can’t swim! We could pay per view him sinking!😁 Erase our national debt!

Mace Duggan2

Good morning, ray @raykwong.lol ✌️ Have a great Wednesday!!!

Paula who is persisting 🟦♿️🌻2

Good morning ray! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

ChrisCatMom🐈📎2

Good Morning Ray! 😎 He’s now installing a fence around the people’s pool, because he thinks everything belongs to him. Have a great day!💙🦋

Just Army (Fuck ICE) Rob2

Come on now there’s plenty of convicted felons more capable of being President or fixing the reflecting pool than our current convicted felon Pedophile rapist murderer.

FreyaLux2

Good Morning Ray Happy 🐪 Wednesday

3dawglady.bsky.social2

Good Morning Ray and have a great day! 💙

Dorcas E2

Good morning ☀️ I would argue area man loves to swims in the algae swamp instead of draining it.

Stewie2

Morning, Ray! Always so nice to start my day seeing your smile! 💙

SteveOh! ❌👑 Pretti Good & Pissed-Off 😢🤬2

Good morning, Ray. I posted this 8 years ago 👇

John Snell2

Have a great day Ray.

Old School Gentleman2

Happy Wednesday sir!! I definitely caught onto that fact when the algae began evolving & making shanks with nearby tree branches and twigs. MAGAts beware everywhere!!

Garnet Rose 🌹2

Good Morning Ray! Thanks for all you do!

InezSneks 🙄🙄2

Happy Wednesday morning ray!! Just sayin,,,

Cher2

Good morning ray! Here’s hoping he falls in and drowns! 💙☕️

Susan Wade2

Hi Ray! May Trump be as lame a duck as he poisoned in the reflecting pool. The algae bloomed from the added phosphate in DC water to prevent lead leaching into drinking water. Hydrogen peroxide poured in killed the algae. The decomposing algae released toxins into the water to kill the ducks. #ETTD

Cali Kathy🫘2

Good morning Ray! The man cannot handle his own diaper! Jeez! I do not think I will have a big enough margarita for this man’s earthly send off. Have a great day everyone except 47

Ro2

Good Morning Ray! Happy Wednesday! Never forget, body bags are made of tarp too! So sorry I’m late! Have a fabulous day😘💙

Thakman📎🇺🇸2

Good Morning and Happy Hump Day. On a positive note the reflecting pool water is now being used to make Trump Green Smoothies available in DC right now. I bet the Republicans are lining up to have a sip.

Sean2

And he's trying to bully us into silence with that Prairieland farce. Have a nice day, Ray!

Jeff Galvin2

All video of our dear leader ought to be sped up and played accompanied by The Benny Hill theme song.

Amanda Marcotte
@amandamarcotte.bsky.social

Trump's lies about the Reflecting Pool are too silly for anyone to believe. MAGA repeats them anyway. It's not just that they're that stupid. (Though they are.) They would like to arrest people for laughing at them. It also exposes their desperation. www.salon.com/2026/06/24/w...

2517h ago
Amanda Marcotte44

Why read past headlines: You, savvy, already know the dumb conspiracy theory about "vandals" at the pool. I dig beyond the "antifa ninjas did it" lie. I show why MAGA is willing to embarrass themselves by boosting lies that make them sound so stupid. www.salon.com/2026/06/24/w...

Maggie From The Commonwealth (God save it!)6

“Trump’s … slapping his name on other people’s accomplishments and trying to claim credit.” This is exactly why all Never Trumpers hate him. For nearly 70 years, the GOP has worked a long game for complete control of the U.S., manipulating ignorance & hate for the sake of power. Never Trumpers

MMMurray4

I’m still hunting the vandals that try to fill my swimming pool with algae every summer. Good luck to those MAGAs.

A Rebour head3

When you sanctify people's resentment, bigotry and itching inferiority complexes as "Patriotic" and feed them the red meat of victimhood, they will do things like die from COVID to perform fealty to the Leader who freed them from having to pretend to be decent, humane citizens.

kentropic3

Performative public belief in the lies - no matter how transparent or ridiculous - is an important fascist bonding ritual, signaling both membership in & allegiance to the cult. It’s a collective power play & assertion that reality is whatever the leader says it is, regardless of facts & evidence.

Dave3

“Of course they will delude themselves into believing “vandals” broke the pool Trump obviously messed up. The alternative is to look at their own reflections — and they wouldn’t like what they would see.” Couldn’t be more spot on!

Roland Gerritsen van der Hoop3

Absurd theatre. Megalomaniac does not like pool. He gives contract to buddy with no expertise. He ignores scientific advise on dark floors and standing water Buddy buys cheap stuff and does shoddy work (and gives kickbacks?) Pool becomes soup and floor detaches. Leader blames others.

Mity Cheese2

This is related to press reporting on what politician X "believes" when it's what a lobbyist paid them to say or another politician told them to say if they wanted to keep their job. You'll never convince me that Ted Cruz "believes" climate change is a hoax, it's just convenient for him to say.

🦁Fight Unstable Corrupt Killer Terrible Rabid Unhinged Mad Pedo🐯2

Well written. Trump IS the mirror to the MAGA narcissist. So they have to delude themselves into believing the beauty they see in that mirror.

Bill Wilkinson2

Just a reminder that he told Macron that you have to put your name on things so they'll remember you in a visit to Mount Vernon during the first abomination

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