Trump is painting DC's reflecting pool. Here's why people are angry – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Personalise the news and
stay in the know
Emergency
Backstory
Newsletters
中文新闻
BERITA BAHASA INDONESIA
TOK PISIN
Find any issues using dark mode? Please let us know
Topic:World Politics
Sun 17 May 2026 at 5:19am
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool will soon be "American flag blue", Donald Trump says. (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein)
Donald Trump has ordered a colour change at Washington DC's iconic reflecting pool.
It's the latest presidential project to generate debate — and a degree of outrage — in America's capital city.
And, as with the White House ballroom and the Paris-inspired "Arc de Trump", opponents are suing to try to stop the project.
Here are three of the big controversies surrounding the work underway at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
Mr Trump says the precise shade he has requested for the pool surface is "American flag blue".
Initially, he had considered turquoise, "like in the Bahamas". But a contractor suggested the patriotic blue and "talked me into it very easily", he said.
Locals who spoke to the ABC at the site were not impressed.
"I like the idea of American flag blue, but not for the reflecting pool," said Kristine, who lives in a Virginia suburb just outside Washington DC.
"'Splotchy blue' is how I would describe the colour," said Mike, a local video producer who came down to see the project after reading about it.
Kristine (left) and Katie (right) are not happy with what is happening at the reflecting pool. (ABC News: Brad Ryan)
A local non-profit, the Cultural Landscape Foundation, has filed a lawsuit to halt work, arguing proper processes were not followed.
The group says the pool's dark basin, a "signature feature" since it opened in 1924, was designed that way to create "the illusion of greater depth and a more profound reflection".
Mr Trump's chosen blue "is more appropriate to a resort or theme park", group president Charles Birnbaum said.
"I agree with that," local university student Katie told the ABC.
The project's $US1.8 million price tag has grown more than seven-fold to $US13.1 million. (Reuters: Annabelle Gordon)
According to a court document filed this week, the government believed the end result would not actually be all that bright.
"The finished coat — a very dark blue — will be low chroma, consistent with the Reflecting Pool's historic character and design," a summary of the government's position said.
A Washington court has ordered the government to file a response to the lawsuit by Monday.
When Mr Trump discussed the project with reporters in the Oval Office last month, he said the previous Biden administration had considered restoration options that would have cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Mr Trump said he drew on his real estate experience and contacts to find a cheaper way.
His past work gave him an idea, he said, which he took to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.
"I said, 'You know Doug, I have a guy who's unbelievable at doing swimming pools' … I said, I have an idea, I'm going to send my contractor over to take a look.'
"He took a look at it, he called me up, he said, 'Sir, we can do something on it.'"
Despite the anecdote, Mr Trump later claimed he did not know the contractor and had not used them before.
The denial came after the New York Times reported a "no-bid" contract was given to a company called Atlantic Industrial Coatings. The contract was awarded under an exemption meant for urgent situations to prevent "serious injury, financial or other, to the government".
Mr Trump responded to the report by attacking the Times and its "lowlife 'reporter'" in a Truth Social post.
"I didn't give out the contract, 'Interior' did, to a contractor I did not know, and have never used before," Mr Trump wrote.
Donald Trump shared this image on Truth Social as the project got underway. (Truth Social: Donald Trump)
During his Oval Office press conference, Mr Trump said the project would cost "less than $2 million".
But the project contract actually turned out to be for $US6.9 million ($9.7 million).
And earlier this month, it was hiked up to $US13.1 million ($18.3 million).
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is the site of historic events like Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech in 1963. (AFP)
The New York Times, citing government documents, reported the new amount matched the figure the contractor had quoted to do the job in March.
The Interior Department said the work needed to be fast-tracked for America's "250th birthday" celebrations on July 4.
The department told US media outlets: "The contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project — more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th."
The work is also supposed to repair some structural issues at the pool, which Mr Trump said was "in terrible shape".
"It leaked like a sieve," he said.
But some Americans see the change to the pool's colour as little more than a vanity project.
The United States Triumphal Arch, dubbed the "Arc de Trump", is another project planned by the president. (Instagram: Donald Trump)
"I think he should be focusing on other things," said Katie, the local student.
"Trump has shown no respect for history," said Mike, the video producer.
Sun 17 May 2026 at 5:19am
Topic:Shark Attacks
Topic:Federal Government
Topic:By-Elections
Topic:Air Transport Industry
Topic:Banking
Topic:US Elections
Analysis by Nick Bryant
United States
World Politics
Topic:Shark Attacks
Topic:Federal Government
Topic:By-Elections
Topic:Air Transport Industry
Topic:Banking
Topic:Shark Attacks
Sun 17 May 2026 at 1:57pm
LIVE
Sun 17 May 2026 at 1:19pm
Topic:Hobbies
Sun 17 May 2026 at 12:54pm
LIVE
Sun 17 May 2026 at 1:46pm
Your home of Australian stories, conversations and events that shape our nation.
This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.
Sign up to get the latest on your favourite topics from the ABC
